hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Convention Against Torture Implementation Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-654
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Armed Forces and National Security
Central Intelligence Agency
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Department of State
Deportation
Detention of persons
Extradition
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Human rights
Immigration
Judicial officers
Law
Secret service
Torture
Treaties

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Convention Against Torture Implementation Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual list of countries where torture is known to be used. 
 
Prohibits the direct or indirect transfer or return of persons by the United States or any contractor: (1) to a listed country; or (2) if substantial grounds exist for believing a person would be in danger of torture.
 
 Sets forth conditions under which: (1) the Secretary may waive such transfer prohibition; and (2) a treaty-based transfer may occur. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-11-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12520-12521)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3008-3009)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3007-3008, S3008-3009)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-656
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Africans
Alien labor
Aliens
Department of Homeland Security
Deportation
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Immigrants
Labor and Employment
Law
Liberia
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to adjust the status of Liberian nationals who have been continuously present in the United States from January 1, 2005, through the date of application for adjustment (or the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of such aliens) if: (1) application is made before April 1, 2007; and (2) the alien is otherwise eligible for an immigrant visa and admissible as a permanent resident, except that certain specified grounds of inadmissibility do not apply.
 
Authorizes otherwise qualified aliens who have been ordered excluded, deported, removed, or to depart voluntarily to apply for adjustment under this Act without filing a separate motion to reopen, reconsider, or vacate such order. Prohibits the removal of such aliens pending a final determination on the application for adjustment.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to grant work authorization to aliens who have applied for adjustment of status under this Act.
 
Provides for administrative review of such adjustment decisions but precludes judicial review.
 
States that the Secretary of State shall not be required to offset immigrant visa numbers as the result of adjustments of status made pursuant to this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make a technical correction in the definition of outpatient speech-language pathology services.

Bill: 109-s-657
Sponsor: Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Ambulatory care
Medical fees
Medicare
Social Welfare
Speech disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define outpatient speech-language pathology services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3010)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-658
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cloning
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Genetic research
Genetics
Human embryology
Import restrictions
Law
Medical ethics
Medical research
Medical technology
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; or (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo. Prohibits knowingly importing such an embryo.
 
Sets forth criminal and civil penalties. 
Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans. 
Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the need to amend such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views concerning its use, and potential legal implications of somatic cell transfer research; and (2) a review of any technological developments that may require technical changes to such prohibition.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3011)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Human Chimera Prohibition Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-659
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Cloning
Fetus
Fines (Penalties)
Health
Human embryology
Law
Medical ethics

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Human Chimera Prohibition Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and to set penalties for: (1) creating or attempting to create a human chimera (a being with human and non-human tissue as specified in this Act); (2) transferring or attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving a human chimera.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Lumbee Recognition Act

Bill: 109-s-660
Sponsor: Sen. Dole, Elizabeth [R-NC]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to Indians
Federal-Indian relations
Government Operations and Politics
Indian lands
Land transfers
Minorities
North Carolina
Public Lands and Natural Resources
State government-Indian relations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Lumbee Recognition Act - Amends federal law relating to the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

action_date: 2006-09-13
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Lumbee Recognition Act - Amends federal law relating to the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

 Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 606.
action_date: 2006-09-13
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 109-334.
action_date: 2006-09-13
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 109-334.
action_date: 2006-08-02
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2006-07-12
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-610.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Equity for Our Nation's Self Employed Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-663
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Health
Health insurance
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Medical economics
Self-employed
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Equity for Our Nation's Self Employed Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing the tax on self-employment income. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3032)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3031)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Green Mountain National Forest Adjustment Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-664
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Boundaries
Land transfers
National forests
Vermont

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Green Mountain National Forest Adjustment Act of 2005 - Modifies the boundaries of the Green Mountain National Forest to include all parcels of land identified in the forest maps entitled &quot;Green Mountain Expansion Area Map I&quot; and &quot;Green Mountain Expansion Area Map II&quot;, each dated February 20, 2002.
 
Provides for the boundaries of Green Mountain National Forest, as adjusted by this Act, to be considered to be the boundaries of such National Forest as of January 1, 1965, for the purposes of provisions relating to the allocation of land and water conservation funds for Federal purposes pursuant to the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-665
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Commerce
Commercialization
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Energy
Economics and Public Finance
Electric vehicles
Energy efficiency
Energy research
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to research
Fuel cells
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Government vehicles
Hydrogen
Income tax
Laboratories
Law
Leases
Research and development
Research and development facilities
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications
Service stations
Standards
Tax credits
Taxation
Technology transfer
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Act of 2005 - Renames the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 as the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a research and development program on technologies relating to the production, purification, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and related infrastructure; (2) establish an interagency Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Task Force to advise on program implementation; and (3) implement certain technology transfer programs.
 
Instructs the Secretary to carry out a program to demonstrate developmental hydrogen and fuel cell systems for mobile, portable, and stationary uses, using improved versions of the learning demonstrations program concept.
 
Prescribes implementation guidelines for Federal procurement of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen energy systems, including Federal procurement of stationary, portable, and micro fuel cells.
 
Directs the Secretary to provide grants to, or offer to enter into contracts with, entities the Secretary determines appropriate to support timely and extensive development of safety codes and standards relating to fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen energy systems, and stationary, portable, and micro fuel cells.
 

 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should provide any necessary tax incentives to encourage investment in and production and use of hydrogen and fuel cell systems during critical stages of market growth.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3033-3036)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3032-3033)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Asbestos Standards Enforcement Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-668
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Asbestos
Crime and Law Enforcement
Environmental Protection
Fines (Penalties)
Health
Occupational health and safety
Recidivists
Sentences (Criminal procedure)

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Asbestos Standards Enforcement Act of 2005 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to subject any employer convicted of willfully violating a standard issued with respect to the control of occupational exposure to asbestos to a fine and/or up to five years' imprisonment for a first offense or a fine and/or up to 10 years' imprisonment for subsequent convictions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3054-3055)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat natural gas distribution lines as 15-year property for purposes of depreciation.

Bill: 109-s-669
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Depreciation and amortization
Energy
Gas pipelines
Income tax
Natural gas
Tax deductions
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any natural gas distribution line as 15-year property for purposes of the tax deduction for depreciation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act

Bill: 109-s-670
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural labor
Agriculture and Food
Arizona
California
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil rights workers
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Governmental investigations
Historic sites
History
Labor and Employment
Labor unions
Migrant labor
National parks
Nonviolence
West (U.S.)

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a special resource study to determine: (1) appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting certain sites in Arizona, California, and other States that are significant to the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States; and (2) whether any of the sites meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as a national historic landmark.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-04-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 109-74.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3055)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for certain fuel cell property.

Bill: 109-s-671
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Condominium (Housing)
Cooperative housing
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Fuel cells
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for energy-efficient building property. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of 30 percent (10 percent for other energy property) of the basis of such energy-efficient building property or $1,000 for each kilowatt of capacity of such property. Defines &quot;energy-efficient building property&quot; as a fuel cell power plant which generates at least 0.5 kilowatt of electricity using an electrochemical process. 
 
Allows a similar tax credit for the installation of qualified energy-efficient building property in a taxpayer's residence. Terminates both tax credits after December 31, 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Indian and Alaska Native Foster Care and Adoption Services Amendments of 2005

Bill: 109-s-672
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Adoption
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Federal aid to Indians
Federal-Indian relations
Foster home care
Government Operations and Politics
Indian children
Minorities
State government-Indian relations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Indian and Alaska Native Foster Care and Adoption Services Amendments of 2005 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize an Indian tribe or intertribal consortium operating a foster care program to receive Federal foster care maintenance payments for children placed in its custody. Requires the State to make such payments if the tribe or consortium does not operate such a program but does have a cooperative agreement with the State for such purpose.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Governmental Pension Plan Equalization Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-673
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil service retirement
Crime and Law Enforcement
Defined benefit pension plans
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Executive compensation
Federal-Indian relations
Fire fighters
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Minorities
Native Americans
Nondiscrimination provisions
Paramedical personnel
Pension funds
Police

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Governmental Pension Plan Equalization Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to specify that rules for governmental plans also apply to plans established for their employees by Indian tribal governments or their subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities which they wholly own or control.
 
Amends the IRC and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to extend to all governmental plans the prohibition against (moratorium on) application to State and local plans of certain nondiscrimination rules (requiring that the plan satisfy minimum participation standards and not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees).
 
Subjects tribal governments to the same defined benefit plan rules and regulations applied to State and other local governments, their police and firefighters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide assistance to combat HIV/AIDS in India, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-s-674
Sponsor: Sen. Corzine, Jon S. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Economic assistance
Health
Human immunodeficiency viruses
India
South Asia
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide assistance to combat HIV/AIDS in India.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3056)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3055-3056)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
GRAD Act

Bill: 109-s-676
Sponsor: Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]
Introduced: 2005-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance
Community and school
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Dropouts
Economics and Public Finance
Education of the disadvantaged
Educational accountability
Educational research
Educational statistics
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Families
Federal aid to education
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government paperwork
Higher education
Literacy programs
Mathematics
Nonprofit organizations
Parent-school relationships
Public schools
Reading
Scholarships
Secondary education
Social Welfare
Student aid
Subcontractors

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: 
Graduation Really Achieves Dreams Act - GRAD Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Project GRAD USA, a nonprofit educational organization for improving high school graduation and college attendance and completion rates for at-risk students, to provide technical assistance and support through subgrants to existing and new programs that implement a set of integrated education reform services.
 
Requires the grantee to select only subgrantees that serve a substantial number or percentage of at-risk students. Requires the programs to identify one or more groups of public schools at which services will be provided through a feeder pattern through which elementary and secondary schools channel students having participated in program services into an identified high school. Requires program services to include: (1) research-based programs in reading, mathematics, and classroom management; (2) campus-based social services programs, including increasing family and community involvement in schools; (3) a college access program, including providing college scholarships for students who meet established criteria, increasing student and family college awareness, and assisting students to apply for college financial aid; and (4) other services the grantee identifies as necessary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3056-3057)
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate