hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Medicare Hospice Demonstration Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2983
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2004-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Case management
Chronically ill
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to health facilities
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Government trust funds
Health education
Home care services
Housing and Community Development
Managed care
Medical economics
Medical fees
Medicare
Mental health services
Nurse practitioners
Nursing homes
Physicians' assistants
Quality of care
Respite care
Rural health
Social Welfare
Terminal care
Urban affairs
Urban areas

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: 
Medicare Hospice Demonstration Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish Hospice Demonstration Projects to increase the utility of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA)) hospice services for seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries. Includes a supportive and comfort care benefit within such program. Requires the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects in between three and six sites. Sets forth the criteria for selecting such sites, including geographic diversity and accessibility. Requires special rules for adjusting payment to any Medicare+Choice (SSA title XVIII part C) organization offering a Medicare+Choice plan to reflect an enrolled member's participation in such a project.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a Hospice Education Grant program under which the Secretary awards education grants to entities participating in the demonstration projects for the purpose of providing information about the Medicare hospice benefit and the benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries under the demonstration projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11381)
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Palliative Care Training Act

Bill: 108-s-2984
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2004-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Authorization
College teachers
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Federal aid to education
Geriatrics
Higher education
Medical education
Osteopathy and osteopaths
Pain
Quality of life
Scholarships
Terminal care

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: 
Palliative Care Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to provide Hospice and Palliative Care Academic Career Awards to individuals that: (1) are board certified or board eligible in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics and their subspecialties; (2) have completed an approved fellowship program or demonstrated specialized experience in palliative medicine; and (3) have a junior faculty appointment at an accredited school of medicine within an approved internship or residency program. Provides that the amount of such an Award shall be $75,000 for FY 2005 (to be adjusted for subsequent fiscal years to reflect the increase in Consumer Price Index) and the term shall not xceed five years.
 
Requires an individual who receives an Award to provide training in hospice care and palliative medicine, which shall constitute at least 75 percent of the obligations of such individual under the terms of the Award.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11381-11382)
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income the gain from the sale of a principal residence by certain employees of the intelligence community.

Bill: 108-s-2985
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2004-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Capital gains tax
Central Intelligence Agency
Coast guard
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Homeland Security
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal law enforcement officers
Government Operations and Politics
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Housing finance
Income tax
Intelligence officers
Military intelligence
Tax credits
Tax exclusion
Tax refunds
Transfer of employees

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain employees of the intelligence community to exclude from their gross income the gain from the sale of their principal residences without regard to otherwise applicable five-year residential use and holding requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to expand the country of origin labeling for certain covered commodities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-s-2987
Sponsor: Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]
Introduced: 2004-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Agriculture in foreign trade
Animals
Aquaculture
Commerce
Department of Agriculture
Food industry
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Labeling
Law
Marketing of farm produce
Meat
Peanuts
Seafood
Sheep
Swine

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: 
Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 with respect to country of origin labeling provisions to: (1) include as a covered commodity ground and muscle cuts of beef, lamb, and pork as a processed food ingredient; and (2) make country of origin provisions applicable to retail sales as of September 30, 2005.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11382)
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Long Term Care Quality and Consumer Information Improvement Act

Bill: 108-s-2988
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2004-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer education
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Long-term care
Medical personnel
Medical statistics
Medicare
Nurses
Nursing
Nursing homes
Performance measurement
Quality of care
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: 
Long Term Care Quality and Consumer Information Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for payment adjustments for skilled nursing facilities based on quality data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11430)
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Truth in Trials Act

Bill: 108-s-2989
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2004-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Criminal liability
Drug abuse
Evidence (Law)
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Law
Marijuana
Medicinal plants
Prosecution
State laws

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: 
Truth in Trials Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish as an affirmative defense for any person facing prosecution or a proceeding for any marijuana-related offense that the marijuana-related activities in question were in compliance with State law regarding the medical use of marijuana. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11430-11431)
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reduce temporarily the duty on palm fatty acid distillate.

Bill: 108-s-2990
Sponsor: Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH]
Introduced: 2004-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Oils and fats
Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce, through December 31, 2007, the duty on palm fatty acid distillate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Softwood Lumber Duties Liquidation Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2992
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2004-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Canada
Commerce
Countervailing duties
Department of Commerce
Dispute settlement
Dumping
Government Operations and Politics
International Affairs
Law
Lumber trade
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: 
Requires the Department of Commerce to instruct the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to liquidate all unliquidated entries of certain softwood lumber from Canada: (1) subject to certain antidumping and countervailing duty orders as of May 22, 2004; and (2) entered into U.S. customs territory before Federal Register publication of a final binational panel decision or extraordinary challenge committee decision, to the extent the decision is not in harmony with specified Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission final determinations.
 
Requires redistribution of such liquidated duties to eligible companies in accordance with the Tariff Act of 1930.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11431-11432)
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2993
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL]
Introduced: 2004-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Airports
Bridges
Commerce
Construction industries
Economic development
Economic growth
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational facilities
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental Protection
Federal advisory bodies
Governmental investigations
Harbors
Highway finance
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Maintenance and repair
Marine terminals
Mass rapid transit
Railroad engineering
Railroad finance
Railroad freight operations
Railroad passenger traffic
Road construction
Waste water treatment
Water Resources Development
Water supply
Water treatment plants
Waterways

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: 
National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2004 - Establishes the National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States to ensure that U.S. infrastructure meets current and future demand and facilitates economic growth.
 
Requires the Commission to study the state of U.S. infrastructure, including such matters as: (1) the capacity of infrastructure improvements to sustain economic development; (2) the age and condition of public infrastructure; (3) the methods used to finance the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and maintenance of public works improvements; (4) investment requirements needed to maintain and to improve facilities and the projected share of investment requirements and expenditures on infrastructure facility improvements by Federal, State, and local governments; and (5) estimates of the return to the economy from public works investment.
 
Directs the Commission to develop recommendations regarding: (1) a Federal infrastructure plan that will detail national infrastructure program priorities; (2) public works improvements and methods of delivering and providing for public work facilities; (3) analysis or criteria and procedures that may be used by Federal agencies and State and local governments in inventorying existing and needed public works improvements, assessing the condition of improvements, and developing uniform criteria and procedures; and (4) proposed guidelines for the uniform reporting by Federal agencies of data regarding infrastructure improvements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11432-11434)
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11432)
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide that funds received as universal service contributions under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 and the universal service support programs established pursuant thereto are not subject to certain provisions of title 31, United States Code, commonly known as the Antideficiency Act, for a period of time.

Bill: 108-s-2994
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2004-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Appropriations
Arts, Culture, Religion
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational facilities
Elementary and secondary education
Finance and Financial Sector
Internet
Libraries
Telecommunication rates
Telephone rates

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: 
Makes Federal provisions which prohibit the obligation or expenditure of funds either in excess of appropriated amounts or in violation of sequestration orders under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1986 inapplicable, during the period beginning on the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005, to: (1) any amount collected or received as Federal universal service contributions; or (2) the expenditure or obligation of amounts attributable to such contributions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11434-11435)
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to permanently extend the income tax deduction for college tuition expenses.

Bill: 108-s-2995
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: College costs
Education
Higher education
Income tax
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for college tuition expenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11497)
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for an additional place of holding court in the northern district of New York, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-s-2996
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: District courts
Judicial districts
New York State

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Amends the Federal judicial code to add Plattsburgh, New York, to the list of places for holding court in the Northern District of New York.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
FLU-VIA

Bill: 108-s-2997
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Commerce
Construction costs
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug industry
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Federal aid to research
Government Operations and Politics
Income tax
Industrial buildings
Influenza
Investment tax credit
Medicaid
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Pharmaceutical research
Prices
Research centers
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Taxation
Technological innovations
Vaccines

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Flu Vaccine Incentive Act of 2004 or FLU-VIA - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt contracts entered into by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the purchase of a pediatric influenza vaccine and other vaccines from certain price restrictions applicable to such contracts. Extends such exemption to any other Federal agency that purchases an influenza vaccine. 
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities. 
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate supporting increased funding to develop new technologies for the production of influenza vaccines.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11497-11498)
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2998
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Astronautics
Astronauts
Aviation insurance
Aviation safety
Claims
Commerce
Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Consultants
Consumer education
Contractors
Department of Transportation
Employee training
Finance and Financial Sector
Flight crews
Flight training
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign investments
Government Operations and Politics
Government liability
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Health
Indemnity
International competitiveness
Investments
Labor and Employment
Launch vehicles
Law
Liability (Law)
Licenses
Manned space flight
Medical tests
Nonprofit organizations
Physical examinations
Product development
Research and development
Rockets (Aeronautics)
Social Welfare
Space activities
Space commercialization
Space flight
Spacecraft
Standards
Subcontractors
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends Federal law concerning commercial space transportation to make such law applicable to space flight crews and space flight participants.
 
Instructs the Secretary to ensure that only one license or permit is required from the Department of Transportation to conduct activities involving crew or space flight participants. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from granting waivers that would permit launches without a license or permit if humans will be aboard.
 
Allows the holder of a license or a permit to launch and reenter crews and space flight participants, but only as specified.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations requiring space flight participants to undergo physical examination prior to launch or reentry.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to issue safety regulations governing launch vehicle design or operation.
 
 Provides for the issuance of experimental permits (including permits for reusable suborbital rockets) allowing for an unlimited number of launches.
 
Permits suspension of licenses under which a previous launch or reentry resulted in serious or fatal injuries.
 
Requires crew and space flight participants to execute reciprocal waivers of claims with licensees and permitees and the Federal government.
 
Makes liability indemnification program requirements inapplicable to space flight participants.
 
Requires the Secretary to arrange for a study of the liability risk sharing regime for commercial space transportation which assesses how the current system could be eliminated.
 
Requires the Secretary to arrange for a report analyzing safety issues related to launching humans into space. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11498)
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Heilit Martinez.

Bill: 108-s-2999
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Declares Heilit Martinez to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Laotian Democracy Act

Bill: 108-s-3000
Sponsor: Sen. Coleman, Norm [R-MN]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: East Asia
International Affairs
Laos
Most favored nation principle
Normal trade relations
Trade agreements

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Laotian Democracy Act - Prohibits the U.S. Trade Representative from entering into a trade agreement obligating reciprocal most-favored-nation treatment between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill entitled the "Hybrid HOV Access Act".

Bill: 108-s-3001
Sponsor: Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO]
Introduced: 2004-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Alcohol as fuel
Alternative energy sources
Bicycles
Commerce
Commuting
Electric vehicles
Energy
Energy security
Environmental Protection
Environmental Protection Agency
Fuel consumption
Government Operations and Politics
Interstate highway system
Labeling
Law
Liquefied petroleum gas
Motor vehicle pollution control
Motorcycles
Natural gas vehicles
Solar energy
Speed limits
Toll roads
Traffic accidents and safety
Traffic congestion
Trucks

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: 
Amends the Federal Aid Highways program to require a State agency with jurisdiction over the operation of a HOV facility to establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating on the facility.
 
Requires such agency to permit motorcycles and bicycles to use the HOV facility. 
 
Permits a State agency to restrict use of the HOV facility by motorcycles or bicycles (or both) if it certifies to the Secretary of Transportation that such use would create a safety hazard. 
 
Prescribes guidelines under which a State agency may permit use of an HOV facility by: (1) public transportation vehicles and high occupancy toll vehicles; (2) inherently low-emission vehicles and low emission and energy-efficient vehicles; and (3) advanced lean burn technology vehicles.
 
Permits tolls to be charged on a HOV facility on the Interstate System.
 
Requires a State agency that allows low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles to use a HOV facility to certify to the Secretary that it will establish: (1) a continuous monitoring, assessment, and reporting program regarding the impacts such vehicles may have on the operation of the facility and adjacent highways; and (2) an enforcement program that ensures the facility is operated in accordance with this Act.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection to issue a final rule establishing certification requirements for low emission and energy-efficient vehicles and for advanced lean burn technology vehicles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11498-11499)
action_date: 2004-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate