hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Free Speech Protection Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3020
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2004-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Broadcast journalism
Confidential communications
Crime and Law Enforcement
Evidence (Law)
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Periodicals
Photography
Press organizations
Reporters and reporting
Science, Technology, Communications
Subpoena
Video tape recording

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: 
Free Speech Protection Act of 2004 - Prohibits judicial, legislative, or executive branch entities of the Federal Government with the power to issue subpoenas or provide other compulsory process from compelling any person who engages in news or information gathering for dissemination to the public (covered person) through the news media to disclose: (1) the source of news or information, or any information that would tend to identify the source, whether or not the source has been promised confidentiality; or (2) any news or information procurred while providing services to the news media that is not itself communicated to the news media. Extends this protection to supervisors, employers, or other persons assisting a covered person.
 
Renders inadmissible in any Federal action, proceeding, or hearing news or information obtained in violation of this Act.
 
Creates an exception from the prohibition on compelled disclosure for news or information not communicated to the news media if a court finds that the requesting party has established by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) disclosure is critical and necessary to the resolution of a significant legal issue; (2) the news or information could not be obtained by alternative means; and (3) there is an overriding public interest in disclosure.
 
States that publication by the news media, or dissemination by a person while providing services for the news media, of a source of news or information shall not constitute a waiver of the protections provided by this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR 11/20/2004 S11648)
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 11/20/2004 S11646-11648)
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Innovation Competitiveness Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3022
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2004-11-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to research
Research and development
Technological innovations

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: 
Innovation Competitiveness Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate a Technology Transfer Director within the Technology Administration to perform oversight and policy and development for technology transfer activities at the Department of Commerce.
 
Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate activities of the Interagency Working Group on Technolgy Transfer; (2) coordinate with certain technology partnership ombudsmans; and (3) establish procedures for coordinating the Commerce Department's technology transfer outreach activities between appropriate Federal agencies, including the National Technical Information Service and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a research program within the Technology Administration that: (1) involves consultation with the various units of the Commerce Department; (2) builds upon ongoing private sector efforts; and (3) involves consortia.
 
Instructs the Director to work with industry, trade associations, professional societies, and others to: (1) develop improved technology transfer research tools and practices; and (2) conduct a specified study.
 
Requires the Director to oversee a dissemination and technical assistance program for the immediate dissemination and implementation of the practices, standards, and codes developed by the Technology Administration.
 
Directs the Secretary to designate a small business advocate within the Commerce Department to: (1) increase the participation of small business concerns; and (2) establish guidelines for a small business program under this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a State and Industry Task Force to highlight areas where the Federal Government can help States to provide a complementary research and development environment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Death Care Inspection and Disclosure Act

Bill: 108-s-3023
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2004-11-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative fees
Administrative procedure
Advertising
Business records
Cemeteries and funerals
Civil actions and liability
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer complaints
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Contracts
Damages
Deceptive advertising
Department of Health and Human Services
Economics and Public Finance
Employee training
Evidence (Law)
Executive reorganization
Federal Trade Commission
Federal officials
Federal preemption
Finance and Financial Sector
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Grants-in-aid
Independent regulatory commissions
Interest
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Labor and Employment
Law
Licenses
Local laws
Recruiting of employees
Restrictive trade practices
Sales promotion
Standards
State employees
State laws
Surveys

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Federal Death Care Inspection and Disclosure Act - Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the position of Coordinator of Funeral, Burial, and Disposition Services, to: (1) survey existing State laws pertaining to the death care industry; and (2) formulate standards specifying the elements of an effective system for registering, inspecting, and monitoring the handling and disposition of human remains by funeral homes and other death care providers.
Requires the Coordinator to: (1) award Federal assistance grants to State agencies that regulate death care providers; and (2) establish minimum standards and requirements governing State regulation of funeral homes and other death care providers.
Sets forth deceptive trade practices, including funeral provider practices that: (1) fail to make timely price disclosures regarding funeral goods and services; (2) fail to give an itemized written statement for retention to a purchaser of funeral goods or funeral services at the conclusion of the discussion related to such goods and services and prior to providing any services beyond taking possession of a deceased human body for authorized embalming; (3) make specified misrepresentations; (4) condition goods and services upon the purchase of other goods and services; and (5) provide embalming services without prior approval.
Prohibits unsolicited telephone offers or door-to-door direct offers to sell funeral goods, services, crematory services, interment rights, or other cemetery and memorialization goods and services.
Sets forth consumer protections with respect to certain cash advance prohibitions and requirements, and preneed and prepaid funeral service transactions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Introduced in Senate
National Center for Transportation Solutions Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3024
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2004-11-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
Congress
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federal aid to research
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Intermodal transportation
Northeastern States
Presidential appointments
Regional planning
Research and development
Research centers
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications
Traffic congestion
Transportation planning
Transportation research
Transportation safety

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: 
National Center for Transportation Solutions Act of 2004 - Establishes the National Center for Transportation Solutions, consisting of the National Center for Transportation Solutions Board and the Director of National Transportation Research.
 

 
Directs the Center to develop and encourage the execution of a long-term national policy for the promotion of research and development related to multimodal transportation.
 

 
Requires the Director to award grants to establish regional centers for transportation solutions located in each of four regions established by the Board for the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest regions of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11801)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Trafficking of Persons Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3025
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2004-11-20 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Development credit institutions
Economic assistance
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign loans
Government liability (International law)
Human rights
International claims
Law
Nongovernmental organizations
Prostitution
Sanctions (International law)
Sex-oriented businesses
Slavery
Smuggling
Standards
Tourism
Transportation and Public Works
Women
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: 
Stop Trafficking of Persons Act of 2004 or STOP Act - Amends Federal law with respect to jurisdictional immunity of foreign states to include within the definition of &quot;commercial activity&quot; trafficking in human beings for sexual activity or other purposes.
 
Amends the Violence Protection Act of 2000 to: (1) include a country's efforts to reduce international sex tourism within its borders among the criteria for determining whether a country is taking serious steps to eliminate trafficking in human beings; and (2) state that nothing in such Act shall be construed to require any federally-funded nongovernmental organization that investigates foreign trafficking activities to notify foreign governments or targets of such investigation's funding source.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to support the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

Bill: 108-s-3026
Sponsor: Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]
Introduced: 2004-11-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Boy Scouts
Families
Girl Scouts
Government property
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: 
Prohibits any Federal law, rule, or regulation from being construed to limit any Federal agency from providing any form of support to the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, including: (1) holding meetings, jamborees, camporees, or other scouting activities on Federal property if such organization has received permission from the appropriate Federal official responsible for such property; or (2) hosting or sponsoring any official event of such organization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11801-11802)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Security for Life Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3029
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2004-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Annuities
Cost of living adjustments
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Labor and Employment
Life insurance
Tax exclusion
Tax-deferred compensation plans

Summary:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: 
Retirement Security for Life Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for 50 percent of the amount otherwise includible in gross income as guaranteed payments from certain annuity or life insurance contracts. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $20,000 in any taxable year. Provides for an inflation adjustment of the $20,000 limitation beginning in 2006.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11898-11899)
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11898)
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advocacy Act

Bill: 108-s-3030
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2004-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Consumer complaints
Consumer protection
Crime and Law Enforcement
Data banks
Deceptive advertising
Executive reorganization
Federal Trade Commission
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Informers
Public service advertising
Restrictive trade practices
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: 
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advocacy Act - Establishes within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) an Office of Consumer Advocacy and Outreach to protect minority consumers, disabled consumers, and other targeted consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
 
Requires the head of the Office to: (1) assist law enforcement personnel in investigating unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect such consumers and in increasing the amount of information available about such conduct through the Consumer Sentinel or equivalent database system; (2) provide such consumers with information regarding the detection of unfair or deceptive acts or practices; (3) administer a program permitting the anonymous reporting of information concerning unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect such consumers; (4) carry out a program of monetary rewards for reports of such conduct if such reports result in civil penalties; and (5) carry out a public awareness campaign in Spanish.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11900)
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
United States Court of Federal Claims Special Trial Judges Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3032
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2004-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Claims
Courts of special jurisdiction
Judges

Summary:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: 
United States Court of Federal Claims Special Trial Judges Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims special trial judges (currently, special masters) to conduct proceedings on petitions under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services' participation in such proceedings. 
 
Establishes an office of special trial judges within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Requires the judges of such court to appoint special trial judges, one of whom shall serve as chief special trial judge.
 
Establishes guidelines for the conduct of proceedings on petitions. 
 
Authorizes review of special trial judge decisions by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and further appeal by the Secretary or an aggrieved petitioner to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to reflect the above changes to the Program.
 
Sets forth transition provisions for: (1) persons exempted from specified civil service programs by operation of this Act; and (2) persons currently serving as special masters.
 
Establishes a retirement annuity system for special trial judges and addresses their participation in existing retirement programs.
 
Amends the Federal judicial code, the Organic Act of Guam, the Act of November 8, 1977, and the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to include bankruptcy, magistrate, and territorial judges in the definition of &quot;judge&quot; for purposes of Federal employees' life insurance benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Ricardo F. Pedrotti.

Bill: 108-s-3033
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2004-12-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: 
Declares Ricardo F. Pedrotti to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Susan Overton Huey.

Bill: 108-s-3034
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2004-12-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Federal employees

Summary:
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: 
Deems an annuity payable to Susan Overton Huey.

action_date: 2004-12-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Deems an annuity payable to Susan Overton Huey.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12018; text as passed Senate: CR S12018)
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12018; text as passed Senate: CR S12018)
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3035
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2004-12-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Coast guard
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Damages
Department of Homeland Security
Economic impact statements
Economics and Public Finance
Freight
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Harbors
Indexing (Economic policy)
Law
Liability for environmental damages
Marine safety
Marine terminals
Oil pollution
Tankers
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation of hazardous substances

Summary:
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: 
Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act of 2004 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to double liability limits associated with oil spills for double-hull tank vessels, other vessels, offshore facilities (except deepwater ports), and onshore facilities and deepwater ports.
 
 Gradually phases out (over six years) liability limits for single-hull vessels. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish separate liability limits for the transportation of oil by vessel to deepwater ports.
 
Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to require the Secretary to promulgate regulations under which port owners or operators may request that the Secretary place restrictions on the entry of tank vessel shipments presenting a risk of severe harm to the environment, economy, or public safety of the port or port region. 
 
Requires single-hull tank vessels that are more than 15 years old to undergo annual inspections.
 
Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a study assessing the total economic cost of oil spills, and the types of costs resulting from such spills, and to report the findings to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S12069-12070)
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12069)
action_date: 2004-12-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that there should continue to be parity between the adjustments in the compensation of members of the uniformed services and the adjustments in the compensation of civilian employees of the United States.

Bill: 108-sconres-1
Sponsor: Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2003-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Federal employees
Military pay
Military personnel
Salaries

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should continue to be parity between the adjustments in the compensation of members of the armed forces and the adjustments in the compensation of Federal civilian employees.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-06-20
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce,  and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S174)
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States Postal Service should issue commemorative postage stamps honoring Americans who distinguished themselves by their service in the armed forces.

Bill: 108-sconres-2
Sponsor: Sen. Corzine, Jon S. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2003-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Air force
Armed Forces and National Security
Coast guard
Government Operations and Politics
Marines
Military personnel
Navy
Postage stamps

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-17
text: Expresses the sense of Congress that : (1) commemorative postage stamps should be issued by the United States Postal Service honoring Americans who distinguished themselves by their service in the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, respectively; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such stamps be issued.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced:  CR S1153)
action_date: 2003-01-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1154)
action_date: 2003-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution recognizing, applauding, and supporting the efforts of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Georgia, to utilize veteran aviators of the Armed Forces and former Army Aviation aircraft to inspire Americans and to ensure that our Nation's military legacy and heritage of service are never forgotten.

Bill: 108-sconres-3
Sponsor: Sen. Miller, Zell [D-GA]
Introduced: 2003-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Army
Arts, Culture, Religion
Congress
Congressional tributes
Exhibitions
Foundations
Georgia
Government Operations and Politics
History
Military aircraft
Military aviation
Military history
Military personnel
Patriotism
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-29
text: Recognizes and expresses support for the efforts of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization incorporated in Georgia, to educate the American public regarding the military heritage of the United States and the story of U.S. Army Aviation's soldiers and machines through the preservation of authentic aircraft and the presentation of living history demonstrations.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1755-1756)
action_date: 2003-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate