hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act

Bill: 109-hr-5491
Sponsor: Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Class actions (Civil procedure)
Competitive bidding
Conflict of interests
Evidence (Law)
Frivolous lawsuits
Government Operations and Politics
Information disclosure (Securities law)
Law
Lawyers
Legal ethics
Legal fees
Securities regulation
Stockholders

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 to require, in any private action in which the court enters a final judgment, that the court award the defendant reasonable fees and expenses, and impose such fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney, if the plaintiff's position was not substantially justified.
 
Requires each plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney in a private action to provide sworn certifications, filed with the complaint, that identify any conflict of interest, including any direct or indirect payment, between the attorney and the plaintiff.
 
Authorizes the court, in exercising its discretion over the approval of lead counsel, to employ alternative means in the selection and retention of counsel for the most adequate plaintiff, including a competitive bidding process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
National Constitution Center Operations Act

Bill: 109-hr-5492
Sponsor: Rep. Brady, Robert A. [D-PA-1]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civics education
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Government Operations and Politics
Leases
National parks
Pennsylvania
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Research centers

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
National Constitution Center Operations Act - Amends the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988 to set forth requirements for cooperative agreements between the Secretary of the Interior and the National Constitution Center (NCC) for the operation of the NCC, including: (1) that revenues from the operation of the NCC be made available to the NCC (without further appropriation) to offset its operating expenses; and (2) that the NCC maintain appropriate risk insurance, maintain its tax-exempt status, and report annually to the Secretary or Congress on its activities, goals and plans. Authorizes the Secretary to terminate a cooperative agreement in the public interest. 
 
Exempts agreements, leases, contracts or other arrangements entered into under this Act from certain requirements for leases of buildings by the federal government and for the award of concession contracts in units of the National Park System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks.
action_date: 2006-06-05
text: Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5493
Sponsor: Rep. Cubin, Barbara [R-WY-At Large]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Drug abuse
Drug abuse treatment
Drug addiction
Drug testing
Drugs and women
Drugs and youth
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Family services
Federal aid to health facilities
Health counseling
Housing and Community Development
Medical statistics
Mental health services
Methamphetamine
Minorities
Minority health
Mortality
Parent and child
Parents
Pregnant women
Prison alternatives
Rehabilitation of criminals
Rural health
Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Women
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the grant program to provide residential substance abuse treatment to pregnant and postpartum women to include: (1) parenting women substance abuse treatment (including treatment for addiction to methamphetamine); and (2) outpatient treatment services. Requires that such treatment programs be accessible to pregnant and parenting women in health disparity populations. Gives priority in awarding grants to any entity that agrees to use the award for programs serving: (1) an area that is a rural area, an area with a shortage of mental health professionals, or an area with a shortage of family-based substance abuse treatment options; or (2) an area that has high rates of addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs.
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for the purpose of assisting local jails and detention facilities in providing comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment services to pregnant and parenting adults who are considered nonviolent offenders. Sets forth criteria that must be met if such a grant is used for a family drug treatment program that is an alternative to incarceration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Identity Theft Protection for the Deceased Act

Bill: 109-hr-5494
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Consumer credit
Consumer protection
Crime and Law Enforcement
Data banks
Death
Directories
Finance and Financial Sector
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Identity theft
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Identity Theft Protection for the Deceased Act - Directs the National Technical Information Service of the Department of Commerce to provide monthly updates of the Death Master List prepared by the Social Security Administration to each consumer reporting agency described in the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
 
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require each such consumer reporting agency to include a fraud alert in the consumer file of each consumer whose name appears on the Death Master List prepared by the Social Security Administration so long as the agency continues to maintain such file.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E989-990)
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to add human papillomavirus vaccines to the list of taxable vaccines for purposes of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund.

Bill: 109-hr-5495
Sponsor: Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Excise tax
Health
Sexually transmitted diseases
Vaccines
Virus diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include any human papillomavirus vaccine as a taxable vaccine for excise tax purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide special treatment of certain cancer hospitals under the Medicare Program.

Bill: 109-hr-5496
Sponsor: Rep. Ferguson, Mike [R-NJ-7]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Breast cancer
Cancer
Clinical trials
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Higher education
Hospital care
Hospital rates
Hospitals
Medical centers
Medical education
Medical research
Medicare
Ovarian cancer
Prostate cancer
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Thyroid diseases
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to inpatient hospital service payments to certain hospitals (subsection (d) hospitals) on the basis of prospective rates, to exclude certain cancer hospitals from the meaning of subsection (d) hospital.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To limit the reduction in the number of personnel of the Air Force Space Command, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-hr-5497
Sponsor: Rep. Harman, Jane [D-CA-36]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Air force
Ballistic missile defenses
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Defense procurement
Department of Defense
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Government downsizing
Intercontinental ballistic missiles
Layoffs
Military command and control
Military personnel
Space activities
Space warfare

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing the number of personnel (including contractors) assigned to the Air Force Space Command (or any component of that Command), from the number assigned to the Command as of January 1, 2006, until the Secretary submits to specified congressional committees a report that includes: (1) a description of, and justification for, the proposed reduction; (2) assessments of the reduction's effects, including whether they could be mitigated by allowing greater flexibility in resource decisions; and (3) a certification that the proposed reduction will not diminish or interfere with U.S. national security space acquisition programs, operations, or technology development.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E988)
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Equitable Access to Disaster Relief and Preparedness Services Act

Bill: 109-hr-5498
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-15]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Alabama
Congressional reporting requirements
Disaster relief
Emergency communication systems
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Floods
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Hurricane aftermath legislation
Hurricanes
Illiteracy
Language and languages
Louisiana
Mississippi
Science, Technology, Communications
Telephone
Translating and interpreting

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Equitable Access to Disaster Relief and Preparedness Services Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require regulations issued for the guidance of personnel providing federal assistance at major disaster sites to include provisions ensuring that relief activities be accomplished without discrimination based on English proficiency.
 
Directs the President to: (1) ensure that all federal entities that provide assistance maintain the capability to administer competent interpreter and translation services; (2) communicate with state and local governments to identify individuals with limited English proficiency and include them in disaster preparedness planning; (3) have available for activation a sufficient cadre of emergency assistance employees; (4) develop and maintain an informational clearinghouse of model language assistance programs and best practices; and (5) report to Congress on the treatment of individuals with limited English proficiency during Hurricane Katrina and on the feasibility of operating a toll-free number by which such individuals can obtain information in their primary language regarding federally funded disaster services and benefits.
 
Includes within the technical assistance the President is required to provide to states assistance to individuals with and without English proficiency following disasters.
 
Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) conduct an emergency preparedness demonstration program to study the needs of individuals and households with limited English proficiency for use in the design and development of community and family preparedness programs; and (2) develop initiatives to improve disaster awareness and readiness in communities that have individuals with limited English proficiency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and make permanent the Department of Veterans Affairs benefit for Government markers for marked graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-hr-5499
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-5]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Veterans' benefits

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) make permanent (currently, terminates on December 31, 2006) the authority for the provision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of government markers or memorial headstones for the marked graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries; and (2) terminate a reporting requirement on the use of such authority.
 
Amends the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 to make eligible for such markers or headstones certain veterans dying on or after November 1, 1990 (currently, September 11, 2001).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Innocent Sellers Fairness Act

Bill: 109-hr-5500
Sponsor: Rep. Keller, Ric [R-FL-8]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Commerce
Products liability
Retail trade
Wholesale trade

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Innocent Sellers Fairness Act - Exempts a lawful seller from liability for personal injury, monetary loss, or damage to property arising out of an accident or transaction involving a seller's products, unless the claimant proves one or more of the following non-sale activities by the seller: (1) the seller was the manufacturer of the product; (2) the seller participated in the design of the product; (3) the seller participated in the installation of the product; or (4) the seller altered, modified, or expressly warranted the product in a manner not authorized by the manufacturer. 
 
Requires, where a claimant proves one or more of such activities, that: (1) the activity be negligent; and (2) damages be limited to those directly caused by the activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman .
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5501
Sponsor: Rep. McHugh, John M. [R-NY-23]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Anniversaries
Arts, Culture, Religion
Auditing
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Federal advisory bodies
Gifts
Government Operations and Politics
Historic sites
History
Inland water transportation
Interstate commissions
Lakes
Navigation
New York City
New York State
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Rivers
Ships
Strategic planning
Tourism
Transportation and Public Works
Vermont
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish: (1) the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission to plan and execute programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain (the first European to discover and explore Lake Champlain); and (2) the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission to plan and execute programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson (the first European to sail up the Hudson River) and the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert Fulton (the first person to use steam navigation on a commercial basis).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Federal Contract Accountability Act

Bill: 109-hr-5505
Sponsor: Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Alien labor
Economics and Public Finance
Employers' liability
Federal aid programs
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government procurement
Illegal aliens
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Labor and Employment
Law

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Federal Contract Accountability Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to debar an employer of unlawful aliens from federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement eligibility for two years.
 
Provides for discretionary waiver or limited duration of debarment.
 
States that any entity, including a state or local government, carrying out a project for which a federal share of funding is provided may not receive the federal share, or shall be required to return such share to the federal government, if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the entity is in violation of unlawful employment of alien provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
State Accountability in Licensing Act

Bill: 109-hr-5506
Sponsor: Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Alien labor
Driver licenses
Identification devices
Illegal aliens
Labor and Employment
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
State Accountability in Licensing Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that if a state permits an applicant for a driver's license or document to use a taxpayer identification number that is not a social security account number the license or document may not be used to verify identity under the employment verification system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Securing the Homeland Through Agency Reporting Enhancement Act

Bill: 109-hr-5507
Sponsor: Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Alien labor
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Illegal aliens
Labor and Employment
Personnel records
Public records
Social Welfare
Social security numbers

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
Securing the Homeland Through Agency Reporting Enhancement Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) with respect to any case in which the Social Security account number in the wage records of an employee provided by the employer to the Social Security Administration do not match relevant records otherwise maintained by the Administration.
 
Requires the Commissioner of Social Security, in such a case, to send a prompt written notice (&quot;no match&quot; letter): (1) informing the employer of the discrepancies; (2) requesting information that would assist the Commissioner in resolving the discrepancies; and (3) informing the employer that a copy of such notice is being forwarded to assist the Secretary of Homeland Security in the enforcement of applicable federal immigration laws relating to employment of individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States.
 
Requires the Commissioner to forward such a copy to the Secretary of Homeland Security, including the information in which discrepancies appear.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
District of Columbia Medicaid Reimbursement Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5508
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2006-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: District of Columbia
Economics and Public Finance
Federal-city relations
Government Operations and Politics
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Medicaid
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: 
District of Columbia Medicaid Reimbursement Act of 2006 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for the District of Columbia from 70% to 75%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2006-05-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E990)
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Introduced in House