hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To establish a Federal interagency task force to promote the benefits, safety, and potential uses of agricultural biotechnology to improve human and animal nutrition, increase crop productivity, and improve agricultural sustainability while ensuring the safety of food and the environment.

Bill: 108-hr-3472
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Nick [R-MI-7]
Introduced: 2003-11-06 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural production
Agriculture in foreign trade
Biotechnology
Commerce
Communication in science
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Developing countries
Environmental Protection
Environmental health
Executive reorganization
Feeds
Food safety
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Health
International Affairs
Nutrition
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Science, Technology, Communications
Sustainable agriculture

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: 
Establishes the Federal Interagency Task Force to Promote the Benefits, Safety, and Potential Uses of Agricultural Biotechnology to improve interagency cooperation and to develop and disseminate accurate written scientific information on the benefits, safety, and potential uses of agricultural biotechnology.
 
Terminates the Task Force ten years after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2003-11-06
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2003-11-06
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2003-11-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Eye Treatment Safety (VETS) Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3473
Sponsor: Rep. Sullivan, John [R-OK-1]
Introduced: 2003-11-06 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Eye care
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Osteopathy and osteopaths
Physicians
Surgeons
Surgery
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: 
Veterans Eye Treatment Safety (VETS) Act of 2003 - Allows eye surgery at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility, or facility under contract with the Department, to be performed only by a licensed medical doctor or licensed doctor of osteopathy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Rommel Villanueva Herrera.

Bill: 108-hr-3475
Sponsor: Rep. Cannon, Chris [R-UT-3]
Introduced: 2003-11-06 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Declares Rommel Villanueva Herrera 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: 2003-11-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-06
text: Introduced in House
Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Retirees and Dependents Act

Bill: 108-hr-3476
Sponsor: Rep. Schrock, Edward L. [R-VA-2]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Chiropractic and chiropractors
Defense contracts
Families
Government contractors
Health
Health insurance
Health planning
Managed care
Military dependents
Military medicine
Retired military personnel
Retiree health benefits

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Retirees and Dependents Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than July 31, 2004, to complete development of a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits, as a permanent part of the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense managed health care program), for covered beneficiaries. Requires plan implementation by December 31, 2004.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Total Force.
action_date: 2003-12-17
text: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Coin Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3477
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-44]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
California
Cemeteries and funerals
Coins and coinage
Congress
Congressional Medal of Honor
Construction costs
Finance and Financial Sector
Gold
Maintenance and repair
Monuments and memorials
Nonprofit organizations
Silver
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 five dollar gold coins and 250,000 one dollar silver coins emblematic of the values and abilities necessary to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor.
 
 Requires the Secretary to pay the proceeds from the sale of such coins to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee for the purposes of: (1) maintaining the National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery; and (2) constructing and maintaining such memorials as the Committee and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may jointly designate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Memorial to Noncitizen Patriots Act

Bill: 108-hr-3480
Sponsor: Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aliens
Cemeteries and funerals
Commemorations
Construction costs
Gifts
Immigration
Military personnel
Monuments and memorials
Virginia
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Memorial to Noncitizen Patriots Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army to construct within Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, a memorial marker honoring the service and sacrifice of noncitizens killed in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept gifts and donations for such purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-06-23
text: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
action_date: 2004-05-20
text: -Similar provision incorporated. See H.R. 4200, Title X, Section 1081.
action_date: 2003-12-08
text: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
action_date: 2003-12-04
text: Executive Comment Requested from Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-11-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Improved Access to Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3481
Sponsor: Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Ambulatory care
Coinsurance
Finance and Financial Sector
Imaging systems in medicine
Medical economics
Medical tests
Medicare
Osteoporosis
Radioisotopes in medicine
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Women
Women's health
X-rays

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Improved Access to Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate cost-sharing under Medicare for bone mass measurements, thus making the Federal payment 100 percent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3482
Sponsor: Rep. Pomeroy, Earl [D-ND-At Large]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation
Agricultural subsidies
Animals
Birds
Economics and Public Finance
Farm lands
Farmers
Federal-state relations
Fishing
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Habitat conservation
Hunting
Landowners
Outdoor recreation
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Range management
Sports and Recreation
Wildlife conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Act of 2003 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which States may apply for grants to encourage owners and operators of privately-held farm and ranch land to voluntarily make such land available for public access and habitat-related activities under State-administered plans. 
 
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to exclude from excess base acreage computation for direct and counter-cyclical payment purposes certain conservation enrolled farm land not planted in an agricultural commodity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Seeds for Soldiers Act

Bill: 108-hr-3483
Sponsor: Rep. Udall, Tom [D-NM-3]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Business education
Debt
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Entrepreneurs
Federally-guaranteed loans
Fees
Finance and Financial Sector
Government lending
Grants-in-aid
Interest
Labor and Employment
Military bases
Small business
Veterans' education
Veterans' employment
Veterans' loans
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Seeds for Soldiers Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), using loan authority under the Small Business Act, to make loans to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Allows such loans to be made for any business purpose, including the refinancing of outstanding business debt. Defers loan principal payments for one year after loan issuance. Prohibits the total amount outstanding and committed to a borrower from exceeding $3 million. Provides conditions under which the Administrator may participate in SBA-guaranteed loans to such businesses, including collection of a loan guarantee fee. Terminates the loan authority at the end of 2005.
 
Directs the Administrator to make grants to small business development centers to enable such centers to provide to veterans a program of assistance that includes training in a vocational or technical trade and entrepreneurial assistance in establishing and operating a small business that provides services in such trade. Provides a minimum grant amount of $500,000.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2275)
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Puppy Protection Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3484
Sponsor: Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1]
Introduced: 2003-11-07 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Animal breeding
Auctions
Commerce
Department of Agriculture
Dogs
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Law
Licenses
Pets
Protection of animals
Retail trade
Standards
Veterinary medicine

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: 
Puppy Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to modify the standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires a standard for addressing the initiation and frequency of breeding of female dogs so that they are not bred before reaching at least one year of age, and whelped more frequently than three times in any 24-month period.
 
Prescribes a process for immediate suspension and eventual revocation of the license of a dealer, exhibitor, or operator of an auction sale for three or more violations of such Act within 18 months.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-07
text: Introduced in House
Affordable Housing Preservation Tax Relief Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3485
Sponsor: Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2003-11-12 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Affordable housing
Apartment houses
Commerce
Contracts
Finance and Financial Sector
Housing and Community Development
Housing authorities
Income tax
Interest
Low-income housing
Real estate business
Residential rehabilitation
Social Welfare
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: 
Affordable Housing Preservation Tax Relief Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an affordable housing credit for the qualified preservation sale or exchange of an eligible multifamily property to or with a preservation entity which agrees to maintain specified affordability and use restrictions regarding the property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Introduced in House
To create 4 new permanent judgeships for the eastern district of California.

Bill: 108-hr-3486
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas, William M. [R-CA-22]
Introduced: 2003-11-12 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
California
Congress
District courts
Government Operations and Politics
Judges
Judicial tenure
Presidential appointments

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: 
Directs the President to appoint three additional district judges and provides for the conversion of a temporary judgeship to a permanent judgeship for the eastern district of California.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-12
text: Introduced in House
To establish an alternative trigger for determining if an extended benefit period is in effect for a State for purposes of certain benefits under the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002.

Bill: 108-hr-3487
Sponsor: Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2]
Introduced: 2003-11-14 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Government Operations and Politics
Labor statistics
State laws
Unemployment
Unemployment insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: 
Amends the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 (TEUCA) to establish an alternative trigger for determining if an extended benefit period is in effect for a State, for purposes of determining eligibility for TEUC Second Tier benefits (also known as TEUC-X, providing additional weeks of payments for individuals in high-unemployment States), based on an exhaustion of TEUC First Tier benefits (also known as regular TEUC benefits).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Introduced in House
To allow certain Mexican nationals to be admitted as nonimmigrant visitors for a period of 6 months.

Bill: 108-hr-3488
Sponsor: Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15]
Introduced: 2003-11-14 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Admission of nonimmigrants
Aliens
Crime and Law Enforcement
Identification devices
Latin America
Mexicans
Mexico
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: 
Provides for the admittance of Mexican nationals currently admissible under laser-visa border crossing regulations as six-month nonimmigrant visitors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the appointment of Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager, United States Air Force (Retired), to the grade of major general on the retired list.

Bill: 108-hr-3489
Sponsor: Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5]
Introduced: 2003-11-14 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Military medals, decorations, etc.

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: 
Authorizes the President to appoint Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager, United States Air Force (retired), to the grade of major general on the Air Force retired list. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Total Force.
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-14
text: Introduced in House
To eliminate the requirement that the Public Printer make an additional contribution to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund with respect to each employee of the Government Printing Office to whom a voluntary separation incentive payment has been paid.

Bill: 108-hr-3490
Sponsor: Rep. Ney, Robert W. [R-OH-18]
Introduced: 2003-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil service retirement
Congress
Congressional agencies
Early retirement
Economics and Public Finance
Federal employees
Government trust funds
Labor and Employment
Severance pay

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: 
Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 1999 to eliminate the requirement that the Public Printer make an additional contribution to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for each Government Printing Office employee to whom a voluntary separation incentive payment has been paid on or after April 1, 2003.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization.
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, 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: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, 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: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, 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: 2003-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Veterans' Right to an Attorney Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3492
Sponsor: Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-2]
Introduced: 2003-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Legal fees
Legal services
Veterans' benefits

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: 
Veterans' Right to an Attorney Act of 2003 - Repeals Federal provisions: (1) prohibiting a fee from being charged, allowed, or paid for attorneys' services with respect to veterans' benefits claims at any time before the date on which the Board of Veterans' Appeals first makes a final decision in the case; and (2) allowing such a fee agreement only in cases arising with respect to veterans' housing and small business loans. (Such repeals in effect allow veterans to pay fees for attorney services during any stage of the claims process.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-01-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-17
text: Introduced in House