hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Biofuels Security Tax Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2816
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2006-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alcohol as fuel
Commerce
Energy
Fuel consumption
Income tax
Motor vehicles
Petroleum industry
Service stations
Small business
Tax credits
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: 
Biofuels Security Tax Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow until 2017 a tax credit for flexible fuel vehicles. Defines &quot;flexible fuel vehicle&quot; as a motor vehicle which can operate on both gasoline and a blend of 85% ethanol and which is certified as having the same or better fuel economy rating when operating on 85% ethanol or on gasoline only.

 Extends until 2017 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property (service stations for dispensing alternative motor fuels to retail consumers). Increases the rate of such credit to 50% for all taxpayers and to 75% for taxpayers who place in service not more than five such refueling properties. Denies such credit to major oil companies (companies having at least 4,500 retail service stations).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4624)
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Biofuels Security Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2817
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2006-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Alcohol as fuel
Automobile industry
Automobiles
Commerce
Department of Energy
Environmental Protection
Franchises (Retail trade)
Fuel consumption
Government Operations and Politics
Government vehicles
Law
Motor vehicle pollution control
Petroleum industry
Restrictive trade practices
Service stations
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: 
Biofuels Security Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to replace provisions prescribing the volume of renewable fuel that gasoline sold in the United States must contain with provisions that require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the applicable volume for 2010 and beyond. Requires such volume to be at least 10 billion gallons in 2010, 30 billion gallons in 2020, and 60 billion gallons in 2030.
 
Requires the Secretary of Energy to promulgate regulations to ensure that each major oil company that sells gasoline in the United States through wholly-owned or branded stations provides pumps that dispense E-85 fuel (a blend approximately 85% of the content of which is derived from ethanol produced in the United States) at not less than: (1) a specified percentage of all of its stations (increasing from 5% in 2007 to 50% in 2016); and (2) a minimum percentage of its stations in each state. Allows a company to earn and sell production credits when it exceeds the percentage required. Prohibits companies from using credits purchased to fulfill geographic distribution requirements.
 
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to increase to 100% the proportion of vehicles acquired by a federal fleet in and after 2007 that must be light duty alternative fueled vehicles.
 
Amends the Clayton Act to: (1) prohibit restricting the right of a franchisee to install a renewable fuel pump; and (2) define &quot;gasohol&quot; as any blend of ethanol and gasoline.
 
Requires makers of new automobiles capable of operating on gasoline or diesel fuel to ensure that a specified percentage of automobiles manufactured in any model year after 2006 for sale in the United States (increasing from 10% in 2007 to 100% in 2016) are dual fueled automobiles. Allows the manufacturer to earn and sell production credits if it exceeds the number required.
 
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to promote the use of fuel mixtures containing gasoline or diesel fuel and one or more alternative fuels.
 
Prescribes formulas to be used by the Administrator to measure the fuel economy of dual fueled automobiles manufactured in model years beginning 18, 30, 42, and 54 months after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4625-4626)
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reduce temporarily the duty on automatic shower cleaners.

Bill: 109-s-2818
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce temporarily the duty on automatic shower cleaners.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4697-4698)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4697)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2819
Sponsor: Sen. Coleman, Norm [R-MN]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Clinics
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Health insurance
Health maintenance organizations
Hospital care
Hospital rates
Housing and Community Development
Long-term care
Managed care
Medicare
Rural health
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2006 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage organizations to provide for a payment rate for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services that is: (1) at least the applicable payment rate established under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for such services; or (2) 103% of the otherwise applicable payment rate, if the critical access hospital or the rural health clinic determines appropriate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Fuel Emergency Relief Act

Bill: 109-s-2820
Sponsor: Sen. Coleman, Norm [R-MN]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Accounting
Block grants
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Corporation taxes
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Energy assistance for the poor
Energy prices
Finance and Financial Sector
Gasoline
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government trust funds
Heating
Income tax
Inventories
Petroleum industry
Tax administration
Taxation
Valuation

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Fuel Emergency Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a fuel assistance block grant program to assist states to provide needs-based assistance to resident households of consumers of high-priced fuel.
 

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish in the Treasury the Fuel Assistance Block Grant Trust Fund; and (2) require certain integrated oil taxpayers to adjust, according to a specified formula, the valuation of LIFO (Last In, First Out) inventories of crude oil, natural gas, or other petroleum product.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2821
Sponsor: Sen. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government service contracts
Income tax
Withholding tax

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2006 - Repeals provisions of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 requiring federal, state, and local governmental entities to withhold 3% of payments due to vendors providing goods and services to such entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4698)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4698)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act

Bill: 109-s-2822
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: American Revolution
Armed Forces and National Security
District of Columbia
History
Military history
Monuments and memorials
Officer personnel
Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act - Authorizes the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to jointly establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor the service of Brigadier General Francis Marion to the United States. Prohibits the use of federal funds to pay any expense of its establishment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Competitive and Open Markets that Protect and Enhance the Treatment of Entrepreneurs Act

Bill: 109-s-2824
Sponsor: Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting
Administrative procedure
Auditing
Commerce
Congressional reporting requirements
Consultants
Corporate accountability
Corporate finance
Corporate management
Europe
Financial statements
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Independent regulatory commissions
Information disclosure (Securities law)
Law
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities regulation
Small business
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Competitive and Open Markets that Protect and Enhance the Treatment of Entrepreneurs Act, or the COMPETE Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the management assessment of internal controls in the annual report of each issuer of registered securities to require certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to permit a small public company to elect voluntarily not to provide in its annual report an assessment of (or a related public accounting firm attestation concerning) the effectiveness of its internal control structure and financial reporting procedures, if it meets specified size criteria. Includes among such criteria: (1) total market capitalization of less than $700 million; (2) total product revenue of less than $125 million; and (3) fewer than 1500 record beneficial holders.
 
Directs the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Board) to: (1) alter the standard for review from a remote likelihood standard for noting weaknesses to a 5% de minimus material weakness criterion (based on 5% of net profits); (2) establish specific guidelines for measuring certain terms; and (3) modify independence rules to allow prudent interaction between registered public accounting firms performing such assessments and internal consultants.
 
Directs the SEC and the Board to: (1) jointly study and report to Congress on the principles-based Turnbull Guidance under the securities laws of the United Kingdom; and (2) compare and contrast such principles to the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Health Security Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2825
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alcoholism
Armed Forces and National Security
Authorization
Biological warfare
Boundaries
Communication in medicine
Community health services
Congressional reporting requirements
Dental care
Drug abuse
Drug abuse treatment
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Emergency medicine
Environmental Protection
Environmental health
Epidemiology
Families
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to child health services
Federal aid to health facilities
Federal aid to research
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Grants-in-aid
Health education
Health insurance
Infrastructure
International Affairs
International agencies
Labor and Employment
Latin America
Maternal health services
Medicaid
Medical education
Medical laboratories
Medical personnel
Medical research
Medically uninsured
Mental health services
Mexico
Planning
Poor children
Preventive medicine
Public health
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Syndromes
Terrorism
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Border Health Security Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), acting through the U.S. members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, to award grants to improve border residents' health. 
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to states, local or tribal governments, or public health entities for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area.
 
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act.
 
Allows the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security in establishing a health alert system that: (1) alerts clinicians and public health officials of emerging disease clusters and syndromes along the border area; and (2) is alerted to signs of health threats or bioterrorism along the border area.
 
Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for the study of binational public health infrastructure and health insurance efforts.
 
Authorizes any member or staff of the Commission to provide advice or recommendations to Congress concerning issues that are considered by the Commission.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4699-4700)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4698-4699)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and expand relief from the alternative minimum tax and to repeal the extension of the lower rates for capital gains and dividends for 2009 and 2010.

Bill: 109-s-2826
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Dividends
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Minimum tax
Tax credits
Tax rates

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the exemption from the alternative minimum tax for individual taxpayers in 2007; and (2) extend through 2007 the allowance of certain nonrefundable tax credits against alternative minimum tax liability.
 
Repeals provisions of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 which extend reductions in capital gains and dividend tax rates through 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4701)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4700-4701)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Privacy Officer With Enhanced Rights Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2827
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2006-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Federal officials
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Law
Oaths
Right of privacy
Subpoena

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: 
Privacy Officer With Enhanced Rights Act of 2006 or the POWER Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the privacy officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) have access to all records and other materials available to DHS relating to programs and operations for which the privacy officer has responsibilities; (2) make necessary or desirable investigations and reports on the administration of DHS programs and operations; (3) subpoena the production, by persons other than federal agencies, of all information and other data and documentary evidence necessary to performance of the privacy officer's responsibilities; and (4) administer oaths, affirmations, or take affidavits.
 
Requires: (1) the privacy officer to report to and be under the general supervision of the Secretary of DHS; and (2) the Secretary to report to Congress upon removing or transferring the officer to another position or location within DHS.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4702)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4701-4702, S4702-4703)
action_date: 2006-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2830
Sponsor: Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS]
Introduced: 2006-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Automobile industry
Automobiles
Commerce
Cost effectiveness
Department of Transportation
Energy
Environmental Protection
Finance and Financial Sector
Fines (Penalties)
Fuel consumption
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Standards
Transportation research

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger automobiles, including standards that are based on one or more vehicle attributes that relate to fuel economy. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, when deciding maximum feasible average fuel economy for passenger automobiles, to consider (in addition to current considerations) motor vehicle safety, emissions, and the need of the United States to reduce its dependence on oil for transportation. 
 
Solicits comment from the Department of Energy (DOE) (currently) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before the Secretary issues a notice for a proposed or amended CAFE standard. 
 
Allows manufacturers to earn credits which may be applied to any five (currently, three) consecutive model years after the year in which they were earned if the average fuel economy of passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in a particular model year exceeds an applicable established average fuel economy standard. Permits trading credits between passenger-automobile production and non-passenger-automobile production.
 
Requires civil penalties assessed by the Secretary or by a Court against a person who violates CAFE standards to be credited to a Department of Transportation (DOT) account and made available to carry out a program of research and development into fuel saving automotive technologies and to support the CAFE program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4799-4800)
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4798-4799)
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Free Flow of Information Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2831
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2006-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Classified defense information
Confidential communications
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation
Evidence (Law)
Government Operations and Politics
Privileges and immunities
Prosecution
Reporters and reporting
Subpoena
Terrorism
Torts
Witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
Free Flow of Information Act of 2006 - Prohibits federal courts in criminal or civil proceedings from compelling journalists to disclose their confidential sources or information which they obtain in a professional newsgathering capacity. Allows exceptions if a court finds that: (1) alternative means of obtaining such confidential information have been exhausted and reasonable and timely notice of a demand for such information has been given; (2) subpoenas for such information are limited in scope; (3) such information is critical to pending criminal or civil litigation; and (4) nondisclosure of such information would be contrary to the public interest.

Denies journalists a privilege against disclosure of confidential information if such information: (1) was obtained by eyewitness observations of criminal conduct by a journalist or involvement of such journalist in criminal or tortious conduct; (2) is necessary to prevent death or substantial bodily harm; (3) is necessary to protect national security; and (4) was provided or obtained without a promise of confidentiality.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-837.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4800-4801)
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain athletic footwear for men and boys.

Bill: 109-s-2833
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2006-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain athletic footwear for men and boys.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain athletic shoes.

Bill: 109-s-2834
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2006-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
 Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain athletic shoes for women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain leather footwear for persons other than men or women.

Bill: 109-s-2835
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2006-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain leather footwear for persons other than men or women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain other work footwear.

Bill: 109-s-2836
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2006-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain other work footwear.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate