hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Railroad Retirement Fairness Act

Bill: 109-hr-2738
Sponsor: Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]
Introduced: 2005-05-26 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Annuities
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Labor and Employment
Law
Railroad Retirement Board
Railroad employees
Railroad retirement plans

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: 
Railroad Retirement Fairness Act - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to provide that an individual who, at the time the individual makes an inquiry to the Railroad Retirement Board, has a current connection with the railroad industry shall not be deemed to have lost that current connection thereafter: (1) if the Board misleads or fails to properly inform that individual about that requirement; and (2) if that conduct by the Board, according to the principles of equity, should stop the Board from deeming the individual to have lost that current connection.
 
(Current law deems an individual to have "a current connection with the railroad industry" at the time an annuity begins to accrue to that individual and at death, provided certain conditions exist.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-05-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
Prompt Payment Improvement Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2740
Sponsor: Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2005-05-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commerce
Contracts
Government contractors
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Small business
Subcontractors

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Prompt Payment Improvement Act of 2005 - Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to set forth in writing the prompt payment policy applicable to subcontractors under Federal contracts; and (2) the head of each Federal agency to provide a copy of such policy to each contractor and to require each contractor to provide a copy to each subcontractor. 
Directs each agency head to require contractors to include in each subcontract a clause containing: (1) the requirements and penalties relating to the timely payment obligations of the Government and prime contractors; (2) the name and number of a senior employee with authority to resolve progress payment questions; and (3) the obligations of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization in assisting small business contractors and subcontractors in receiving prompt payments.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
Subcontractor Protection Act

Bill: 109-hr-2741
Sponsor: Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2005-05-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commerce
Electronic government information
Fines (Penalties)
Government contractors
Law
Minorities
Minority business enterprises
Science, Technology, Communications
Small business
Social Welfare
Subcontractors
Telephone

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Subcontractor Protection Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require a Federal agency to include in contracts awarded pursuant to a subcontracting plan calling for the maximum practicable opportunity for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (qualified small businesses) a clause providing for the withholding of a specified amount or percentage of the total contract if the contractor does not achieve the percentage goal for the utilization of the qualified small businesses. Directs the awarding agency to require the contractor to provide written justification for not entering into a subcontract as required under the plan. Directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a telephone line or other electronic means of communication through which a qualified small business may inform the SBA of any concerns regarding major deviations by prime contractors from the use of such qualified small businesses.
Requires the consideration of the use of such qualified small businesses as subcontractors when determining a contractor's past compliance with other subcontracting plans.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Small Business Act to increase the minimum Government-wide goal for procurement contracts awarded to small business concerns.

Bill: 109-hr-2742
Sponsor: Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2005-05-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Commerce
Depressed areas
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Government contractors
Government procurement
Minorities
Minority business enterprises
Small business
Social Welfare
Veterans' benefits
Women
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Amends the Small Business Act to increase the Government-wide goal for procurement contracts awarded to small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or women to 25 percent (currently 23 percent) of the total amount of Federal procurement contracts awarded in a fiscal year.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Aida Abigail Trevino de Zamarron.

Bill: 109-hr-2743
Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Introduced: 2005-05-26 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: 
Makes Aida Abigail Trevino de Zamarron eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident of the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act, upon payment of the required visa fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-26
text: Introduced in House
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that benefits under part D of such title have no impact on benefits under other Federal programs.

Bill: 109-hr-2746
Sponsor: Rep. Holt, Rush [D-NJ-12]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drugs
Finance and Financial Sector
Insurance premiums
Medicare
Prescription pricing
Social Welfare
Subsidies
Welfare eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that benefits under the Medicare part D program have no impact on benefits under other Federal programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2005-06-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1152-1153)
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2747
Sponsor: Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Annuities
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Fetus
Finance and Financial Sector
Government insurance
Housing and Community Development
Insurance premiums
Interest rates
Labor and Employment
Life insurance
Mortality
Mortgages
Revolving funds
Valuation
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends Federal provisions concerning service-disabled veterans' life insurance to make the amount of such insurance $50,000, or such lesser amount evenly divisible by $10,000.
 
States that the premium rates for such insurance for months beginning: (1) before the date of enactment of this Act shall be based upon the Commissioners 1941 Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and interest at the rate of two and one-fourth percent per year; and (2) on or after the date of enactment of this Act shall be based upon such Table at a four and one-half percent interest rate. Makes the same changes with respect to all policy cash, loan, paid-up, and extended values.
 
Increases from $90,000 to $200,000 the maximum amount of veterans' mortgage life insurance coverage.
 
Includes still-born children within dependent coverage under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-07-20
text: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.
action_date: 2005-06-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2005-06-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1150)
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Camp Safety Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2748
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Accident prevention
Accidents
Agriculture and Food
Building laws
Business records
Camping
Child health
Child safety
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal justice information
Death
Department of Labor
Diseases
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Employee training
Environmental Protection
Families
Federal employees
Federal preemption
Fire prevention
Food safety
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Health
Identification of criminals
Judicial review
Law
Medical records
Medical statistics
Minimum wages
Recreation
Refuse and refuse disposal
Sports and Recreation
Standards
State laws
Swimming

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Camp Safety Act of 2005 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require organized camps to comply with specified health and safety standards as a condition for their exemption from minimum wage requirements.
 
Directs the Secretary of Labor to monitor and enforce such compliance. 
Preempts State laws only to the extent that they provide lesser protection for campers.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
To require cigarette products to be placed under or behind the counter in retail sales.

Bill: 109-hr-2749
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Cigarettes
Drug abuse
Restrictive trade practices
Retail trade

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Prohibits any person engaged in the retail sales of cigarette products to place cigarette products in the general merchandise areas of a retail sales facility and within reach of customers. Requires all cigarette products sold at retail to be placed under or behind a counter where they may be accessible only to a salesperson.
 
Treats a violation of such prohibition as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act and gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement authority.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2750
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative fees
Administrative procedure
Consumer credit
Department of Agriculture
Economics and Public Finance
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Government paperwork
Housing finance
Law
Low-income housing
Moderate income housing
Mortgage guaranty insurance
Mortgages
Rural housing
Settlement costs
Single family housing
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Act of the Housing Act of 1949 with respect to the single family rural housing loan guarantee program to: (1) eliminate low and moderate income eligibility requirements; (2) reduce maximum guarantee fees paid by lenders; and (3) require any regulation limiting borrower eligibility based upon the borrower's debt-income ratio to provide for a higher income-to-debt ratio for newly-constructed property loans.
 
Revises refinancing loan guarantee provisions to: (1) authorize a specified lender guarantee fee; (2) permit a guarantee to acquire or construct an eligible single-family residence; (3) amend closing cost provisions; (4) eliminate income requirements; (5) prohibit that an appraisal credit report be required in connection with the loan, or that the residence be in a rural area for an existing loan; and (6) require that the borrower is not delinquent with respect to existing loan payments, and that monthly refinance payments be at least $50 less than existing monthly payments.
 
Requires agricultural housing loans to be recorded as Department of Agriculture, rather than conventional, loans.
 
Revises the definition of &quot;rural area.&quot;
 
Increases direct loan income limitations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
FHA Energy Efficiency Act

Bill: 109-hr-2751
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Apartment houses
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Law
Licenses
Mortgage guaranty insurance
Single family housing
Solar energy

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
FHA Energy Efficiency Act - Amends the National Housing Act to require that residential mortgage insurance energy certifications be conducted by an individual certified by an accredited home energy rating system provider.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to make available to Federal employees the option of obtaining health benefits coverage for dependent parents.

Bill: 109-hr-2752
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Families
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Government employees' health insurance
Parents

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Allows Federal employees the option of enrolling in an approved health benefits plan for "self and extended family" which includes coverage of a dependent parent.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Public Campaign Financing Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2753
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Campaign debates
Campaign funds
Congress
Congressional districts
Congressional elections
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Financial statements
Foreign agents
Fund raising
Government paperwork
Housing and Community Development
Indexing (Economic policy)
International Affairs
Labor and Employment
Law
Licenses
Lobbying
Mortgages
Political advertising
Political parties
Presidential elections
Radio in politics
Radio stations
Residence requirements
Salaries
Science, Technology, Communications
Telecommunication rates
Television advertising
Television in politics
Television stations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Public Campaign Financing Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to add a new title V (Public Funding for House of Representatives Elections) outlining: (1) qualifications for public financing; (2) limitations on contributions to qualifying House candidates prohibiting such a candidate from accepting contributions other than contributions from individuals that total not more than $100 per individual per election cycle, with an 80 percent in-state contribution requirement; (3) rules restricting public funding to specified purposes, such as buying broadcast time; (4) limitations on the maximum amount of public funding, which is set at $750,000 for qualifying House candidates; (5) various specified requirements pertaining to television debates and radio and television advertising; (6) authorization for the filing of certain state reports in lieu of any required FECA report; (7) provisions regarding reporting of election activity of persons other than political parties; and (8) rules for contributions through intermediaries and conduits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to eliminate a limitation on benefits.

Bill: 109-hr-2754
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Annuities
Families
Married people
Railroad retirement plans
Survivors' benefits
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 with regard to certain increases compensating for mandatory reductions in the amount of an individual's railroad retirement annuity. Repeals the prohibition against taking into account during recertification of an annuity any persons not entitled to an annuity (except a spouse under certain circumstances), if at the time of initial certification: (1) all persons then eligible for such an annuity were considered for inclusion; and (2) the requirements for such increases were either inapplicable or applicable but later became inapplicable. (Thus allows such otherwise ineligible persons to be taken into account when an annuity is recertified with respect to such increases compensating for mandatory reductions.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Victims Tax Fairness Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2755
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income
Income tax
Law
Legal fees
Tax deductions
Torts

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Victims Tax Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) include in gross income amounts awarded to or received by the taxpayer, whether by suit or agreement, on account of nonphysical personal injury that are designated for attorneys' fees and costs; and (2) allow a tax deduction from gross income for attorneys' fees and costs awarded to or paid by the taxpayer, whether by suit or agreement, on account of nonphysical personal injury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Social Security to disclose certain taxpayer returns and return information upon written request by an order from a State or local court in a family law proceeding.

Bill: 109-hr-2756
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Court records
Families
Family courts
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Income tax
Law
State courts
Subpoena
Support of dependents
Tax returns

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Social Security to disclose tax returns and return information to a state or local court, upon written request by an order of such court, for purposes of family law proceedings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Homeowners' Benefit Protection Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-2757
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2005-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Cost of living adjustments
Economics and Public Finance
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Housing finance
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Homeowners' Benefit Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for an annual inflation adjustment to the $250,000 limitation amount on the tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-06-07
text: Introduced in House