hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Truth in Video Game Rating Act

Bill: 109-s-3935
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Cable television
Child welfare
Computer software
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer protection
Families
Federal Trade Commission
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Interactive media
Internet
Labeling
Law
Marketing
Motion pictures
Pornography
Science, Technology, Communications
Television programs
Video games
Violence

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Truth in Video Game Rating Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules that prohibit as an unfair and deceptive act or practice: (1) any rating organization from assigning a content rating to any video or computer game unless it has reviewed its playable content; and (2) any producer, seller, or distributor of such games from withholding or hiding any such content.
 
Requires the FTC rules also to: (1) require any person submitting to a rating organization a video or computer game with hidden content to accompany it with the codes or methods necessary to access such hidden content; and (2) prohibit a rating organization from providing a content rating that grossly mischaracterizes the game content.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the efficacy of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) ratings system in assigning appropriate content ratings to video and computer games, and related questions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Flight 800 Improvement Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3937
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Aircraft industry
Airlines
Aviation fuels
Aviation safety
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Transportation
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to transportation
Flammable materials
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Law
Transport aircraft

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Flight 800 Improvement Act of 2006 - Directs the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) finalize and implement, not later than January 1, 2007, a proposed rule relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability in transport category airplanes; and (2) study and report on ways to improve the safety and reduce the flammability of fuel tanks located on airplane wings. Authorizes the Administrator to provide matching funds to airplane operators and manufacturers for complying with such rule. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Text of measure as introduced: CR S10161-10183)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Protection Act

Bill: 109-s-3939
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Administrative procedure
Cardiovascular diseases
Commerce
Continuing education
Contraceptives
Curricula
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug approvals
Drug utilization
Drugs
Education
Government Operations and Politics
Health warnings
Higher education
Imaging systems in medicine
Labeling
Law
Medical education
Medical personnel
Medical tests
Physicians
Pregnancy
Transportation and Public Works
Travel
Women
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Protection Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to modify the conditions of approval of the new drug application for mifepristone (commonly referred to as RU-486, marketed as Mifeprex) to establish the additional restriction that the drug may not be prescribed or administered by any person other than a licensed physician who: (1) is qualified to personally handle complications resulting from an incomplete abortion or ectopic pregnancy; (2) has been trained to perform surgical abortions and has met all current applicable legal requirements to perform such abortions; (3) is qualified for ultrasound dating of pregnancy and detecting of ectopic pregnancy; (4) has completed a program regarding the prescribing of such drug that uses a curriculum approved by the Secretary; (5) has admitting privileges at a hospital to which the physician can travel in one hour or less; and (6) has been trained to recognize and treat afebrile infections. Requires the Secretary to establish guidelines for the review and approval of such curriculum and for such training.
 
Directs the Secretary to require that information provided to patients in connection with the prescription of the drug include additional strongly worded warnings: (1) regarding the nature of life-threatening afebrile infections and instructions on how to recognize such infections; and (2) against all possible deviations from FDA-approved methods of administration.
 
Prohibits a physician from deviating from FDA-approved methods of administration of such a drug.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Educational Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3940
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Academic performance
Bonds
Business and social problems
College costs
Commerce
Congress
Cost of living adjustments
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Employee benefit plans
Finance and Financial Sector
Higher education
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Interest
Labor and Employment
National forests
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Rural education
Scholarships
School personnel
Sports and Recreation
Sports personnel
Student loan funds
Sunset legislation
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion
Teachers

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Educational Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase, make permanent, and make athletic coaches, trainers, or assistants eligible for the tax deduction for the expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (2) allow the Hope scholarship credit for the first three years (currently, two years) of postsecondary education, expand the type of expenses eligible for the credit, and allow the receipt of Pell Grants and federal supplemental educational opportunity grants without a reduction in the allowable credit; (3) increase the employee tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance; (4) increase the tax deduction for student loan interest; (5) extend through 2010 the authority for issuing qualified zone academy bonds (QZABs) and include bonds issued for public schools in rural counties and counties with National Forest System Lands; and (6) increase the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to fully allow students to live in units eligible for the low-income housing credit, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-s-3941
Sponsor: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Education
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Low-income housing
Married people
Parents
Secondary education
Single people
Social Welfare
Students
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain full-time students to live in housing units eligible for the low-income housing tax credit if they are: (1) single parents with children; (2) married and filing a joint return; or (3) adult students fulfilling the requirements for a high school diploma. Exempts any individual under the age of 19 years who attends kindergarten through grade 12 from classification as a full-time student for purposes of the tax credit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10189-10190)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3942
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Commemorations
Commerce
Cultural property
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Historic sites
History
Infrastructure
Land transfers
National parks
New Jersey
Public-private partnerships
Sports and Recreation
Stadiums

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2006 - Establishes in Paterson, New Jersey, the Paterson Great Falls National Park as a unit of the National Park System.
 
Requires the Park to be administered in partnership by the Secretary of the Interior, the state of New Jersey, the city of Paterson and its applicable subdivisions, and others.
 
Establishes the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Partnership to coordinate the activities of federal, state, and local authorities and the private sector in the development, for the Secretary's approval, and implementation of an integrated resource management plan.
 
Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to establish a Paterson Great Falls National Park Advisory Council.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to acquire land or interests within the boundaries of the Park by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10190)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Confidence in Voting Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3943
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Ballots
Economics and Public Finance
Election Assistance Commission
Election administration
Grants-in-aid
Voting machines

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Confidence in Voting Act of 2006 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to direct the Election Assistance Commission to pay to each jurisdiction that conducts a general election on November 7, 2006, and uses a voting system other than a paper ballot voting system, an amount equal to the documented costs it pays or incurs for the preparation, production, and use of contingency paper ballots for such election.
 
Sets a maximum payment of 75 cents for each contingency paper ballot printed. 
 
Sets forth conditions for payment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10662)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for a one year extension of programs under title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act.

Bill: 109-s-3944
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Authorization
Child health
Dental care
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Families
Federal aid to child health services
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to health facilities
Higher education
Human immunodeficiency viruses
Medical education
Medical research
Medical statistics
Preventive medicine
Quality of care
Science, Technology, Communications
Women
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2007 to carry out title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (popularly known as the Ryan White Care Act). Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in determining the amounts of formula grants for FY2007, from using a methodology for counting the number of AIDS or HIV cases that is different than the methodology used by the Secretary for FY2006.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10191)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10190-10191)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act

Bill: 109-s-3945
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2006-09-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Clinical trials
Communication in medicine
Contraceptives
Crime and Law Enforcement
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Federal aid to health facilities
Government Operations and Politics
Health counseling
Health education
Higher education
Hospitals
Preventive medicine
Prisoners
Rape
Sexually transmitted diseases
Students
Victims of crimes
Women
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: 
Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act - Prohibits any federal funds from being provided to a hospital unless the hospital meets certain conditions related to a woman who is a victim of sexual assault, including that the hospital: (1) provides the woman with accurate and unbiased information about emergency contraception; (2) offers emergency contraception to the woman; (3) provides the woman such contraception at the hospital on her request; and (4) does not deny any such services because of the inability of the woman to pay.
 
Prohibits any federal funds from being provided to a hospital unless the hospital provides to survivors of sexual assault, regardless of ability to pay: (1) an assessment of the individual's risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections; (2) advice concerning significantly prevalent infections for which effective post-exposure prophylaxis exists and for which the deferral of treatment either would significantly reduce treatment efficacy or would pose substantial risk to the individual's health; and (3) such prophylactic treatment for infections, upon request.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10192)
action_date: 2006-09-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Protection Against International Gangs Act

Bill: 109-s-3946
Sponsor: Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]
Introduced: 2006-09-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal aliens
Deportation
Gangs
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: 
Community Protection Against International Gangs Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an alien inadmissible or deportable (provides the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General with waiver authority) if the Attorney General or the Secretary (or a consular officer regarding inadmissibility) knows or has reason to believe that such alien: (1) is or has been a member of a criminal street gang; or (2) has participated in a criminal street gang's activities, knowing or having reason to know that such activities furthered the criminal gang's illegal activity. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to instruct the Department of State to deny visas to individuals from a country that has denied or unreasonably delayed acceptance of a citizen, national, or resident of that country who has been ordered removed from United States until the country accepts such individual.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10290)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10289-10290)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Soldiers to Citizens Act

Bill: 109-s-3947
Sponsor: Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]
Introduced: 2006-09-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Aliens
Armed Forces and National Security
Families
Fingerprints
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Military dependents
Military personnel
Naturalization
Quality control
Science, Technology, Communications
Telephone

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: 
Soldiers to Citizens Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to state that, except for provisions relating to revocation of citizenship for separation from service under other than honorable conditions, noncitizens: (1) shall not be denied the opportunity to apply for Armed Forces membership; and (2) who become active duty Armed Forces members shall, consistent with active duty naturalization provisions and with the approval of their chain of command, be granted U.S. citizenship after performing at least two years of honorable active duty service. Requires citizenship to be granted within 90 days of application. 
 
Waives certain naturalization requirements, but requires that the applicant participate in the oath ceremony and demonstrate to his or her military chain of command English proficiency, good moral character, and knowledge of U.S. government and history.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to use the fingerprints provided by an individual at the time of military enlistment to satisfy any naturalization fingerprint requirements if the individual: (1) may be naturalized; (2) was fingerprinted at the time of enlistment; and (3) submits a naturalization application within 12 months of enlistment. 
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a toll-free naturalization assistance telephone service for Armed Forces members and their families; (2) ensure that such service is operated by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees with specialized training on the naturalization process for Armed Forces members, and who are located in the same unit as the military processing unit that adjudicates naturalization applications; and (3) monitor the accuracy and quality of information provided by such employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10290-10291)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10289-10290)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhanced Border Tunnel Prevention Act

Bill: 109-s-3948
Sponsor: Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]
Introduced: 2006-09-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Biological warfare
Boundaries
Canada
Drug abuse
Drug traffic
Fines (Penalties)
Forfeiture
Illegal aliens
Immigration
International Affairs
Latin America
Mexico
Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Sentencing guidelines
Smuggling
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Tunnels
Weapons of mass destruction

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: 

 

 

 

 

 
Enhanced Border Tunnel Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or subterranean passage that crosses the international border between the United States and another country. Imposes a 25-year prison term for such offense. Doubles penalties for persons who use such a tunnel or passage to smuggle an alien, illegal goods, controlled substances, weapons of mass destruction, or members of a terrorist organization
 
Imposes a 15-year prison term on any person who knows of or recklessly disregards the construction or use of an unauthorized tunnel or passage on land that such person owns or controls. 
 
Subjects to forfeiture any property involved in, or traceable to, the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or passage. 
 
Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of criminal offenses related to the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or passage. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10291)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10289-10290)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Illegal Immigration Source Study and Focus Act

Bill: 109-s-3949
Sponsor: Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]
Introduced: 2006-09-27 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional reporting requirements
Economic assistance
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Illegal aliens
Immigration
Latin America
Mexico

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: 
Illegal Immigration Source Study and Focus Act - Directs the Secretary of State to conduct a study and report to Congress every five years respecting: (1) the geographic areas in Mexico from which large numbers of residents and large percentages of the population are leaving to illegally enter the United States; and (2) the social, political, and economic conditions in such areas that contribute to such illegal immigration. 
 
Directs the United States Agency for International Development (USAID): (1) in consultation with the Secretary, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and appropriate Mexican officials, to designate up to four geographic areas within Mexico as Immigration Impact Focus Areas; and (2) in consultation with the Secretary, to develop a plan to concentrate economic development and humanitarian assistance provided to Mexico in such Areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10291)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10289-10290)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3950
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2006-09-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Investment tax credit
Investments
Small business
Stocks
Tax credits
Tax returns

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: 
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain investors a business tax credit for 25% of equity investments made in small businesses, up to an annual limit of $500,000. Terminates such credit after 2011.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10292-10293)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10291-10292)
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Introduced in Senate