hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the 2006 and 2007 initial enrollment periods for the Medicare prescription drug benefit and suspend the late enrollment penalty through December 31, 2007, to permit Medicare beneficiaries to change enrollment in a prescription drug plan during the first 12 months of enrollment, and to prevent changes in formularies other than at the time of open enrollment periods and only with advance notice.

Bill: 109-hr-5263
Sponsor: Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Commerce
Consumer education
Drugs
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Health insurance
Health maintenance organizations
Insurance premiums
Managed care
Medical economics
Medical education
Medicare
Pharmacies
Pharmacists
Physicians
Prescription pricing
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend the 2006 and 2007 initial enrollment periods for the Medicare prescription drug benefit; (2) suspend the late enrollment penalty through December 31, 2007; and (3) permit Medicare beneficiaries to change enrollment in a prescription drug plan during the first 12 months of enrollment.
 
Prohibits a PDP sponsor, beginning with 2006, from removing a covered part D drug from the plan formulary, or imposing a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, other than at the beginning of each plan year, except as the Secretary may permit to take into account new therapeutic uses and newly covered part D drugs.
 
Requires each PDP sponsor to furnish to each plan enrollee, at the time of each annual coordinated election period, a notice of any changes in the formulary or other part D drug coverage restrictions or limitations that will take effect for the upcoming plan year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2006-05-02
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: 2006-05-02
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: 2006-05-02
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: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Digital Television Consumer Education Act

Bill: 109-hr-5264
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadband
Commerce
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer education
Electronic commerce
Electronics
English language
Environmental Protection
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Labeling
Mail-order business
Manufacturing industries
Public service advertising
Recycling of waste products
Retail trade
Signs and signboards
Spanish language
Television
Television advertising
Television broadcasting

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Digital Television Consumer Education Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require manufacturers of television receiving equipment (TVs) that does not include a digital tuner to: (1) place an advisory label on its screen stating that, after February 17, 2009, such TV will receive TV signals only by using additional equipment; and (2) place such label permanently and conspicuously on the outside of the TV packaging. Provides related advisory requirements for retail distributors and other vendors. Requires broadcaster public service announcements about the deadline for termination of analog TV broadcasting and the equipment options for consumers following such termination.
 
Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a DTV Transition Federal Advisory Committee to educate the public about the digital television transition. Requires such education to commence by September 1, 2007.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Community Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Program Act

Bill: 109-hr-5265
Sponsor: Rep. Hooley, Darlene [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Building construction
Congressional reporting requirements
Construction costs
Crime and Law Enforcement
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency communication systems
Emergency housing
Emergency medicine
Environmental Protection
Equipment and supplies
Fire departments
Fire fighters
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Grants-in-aid
Health
Hospitals
Housing and Community Development
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Paramedical personnel
Police
Rescue work
Science, Technology, Communications
Sewerage
Shelters for the homeless
Tourism
Tsunamis
Water Resources Development
Water treatment plants

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Community Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), to provide grants to certain areas to prepare for a tsunami. Requires the Director to: (1) give priority to areas in which the likelihood of a tsunami striking in the next 50 years is 10% or greater; and (2) award grants to state, territory, local, or tribal emergency management departments on a competitive basis considering financial need, benefit to the community, and a demonstrated ability to cooperate with other emergency services providers.
 
Authorizes the use of grant funds to: (1) establish or improve warning systems; (2) purchase public safety agency rescue equipment; (3) reinforce buildings and facilities in maintaining continuity of critical services; (4) provide post-tsunami shelters and supplies; and (5) develop outreach programs to educate residents and tourists about different types of tsunamis and how to react to each type.
 
Sets forth matching fund requirements, based on population. Requires the Director to: (1) determine if grant recipients meet National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) certification standards; and (2) evaluate the effectiveness and tsunami readiness of programs established pursuant to his Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2006-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Genetically Engineered Pharmaceutical and Industrial Crop Safety Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-5267
Sponsor: Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Biotechnology
Chemicals
Civil actions and liability
Collection of accounts
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Agriculture
Drugs
Environmental Protection
Enzymes
Feedstock
Fines (Penalties)
Food safety
Genetics
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Identification devices
Judicial review
Law
Medicinal plants
Science, Technology, Communications
Seeds
Transgenic plants

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
 Genetically Engineered Pharmaceutical and Industrial Crop Safety Act of 2005
 [sic] 
 - Prohibits: (1) a pharmaceutical crop or industrial crop to be grown, raised, or otherwise cultivated until the final regulations and tracking system required by this Act are in effect; and (2) cultivation of a pharmaceutical crop or industrial crop in an open air environment, or in a food commonly used for human food or domestic animal feed.
 
Directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a tracking system to regulate the growing, handling, transportation, and disposal of all pharmaceutical and industrial crops and their byproducts to prevent contamination.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties for violations of such provisions.
 
Directs the National Academy of Sciences to report on alternative methods to produce pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals that may be conducted in controlled production facilities without the risk of contamination. 
 
Defines: (1) &quot;genetically engineered plant&quot;; (2) &quot;genetically engineered material&quot;; (3) &quot;genetically engineered seed&quot;; (4) &quot;pharmaceutical crop&quot;; and (5) &quot;industrial crop.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E687-688)
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act

Bill: 109-hr-5268
Sponsor: Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative fees
Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Allergies
Animals
Business records
Citizen lawsuits
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Defective products
Department of Health and Human Services
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Farm produce
Federal aid to research
Federal employees
Fines (Penalties)
Food additives
Food industry
Food safety
Freedom of information
Genetic engineering
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Grocery trade
Health
Indexing (Economic policy)
Injunctions
Law
Legal fees
Livestock
Medical research
Nutrition
Parties to actions
Proteins
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Recruiting of employees
Science, Technology, Communications
Searches and seizures
Toxicology
Transgenic animals
Transgenic plants
User charges

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to include genetically engineered food in the definition of "food additive." Sets forth requirements governing petitions to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a regulation prescribing the conditions of safe use of a genetically engineered food additive, including information to be included in the petition and factors to be considered by the Secretary in making a decision.
 
Authorizes civil actions against: (1) a person alleged to have violated FFDCA provisions regulating genetic food additives; and (2) the Secretary for failure to perform a mandatory act or duty related to genetic food additives. 
Requires the Secretary to collect a filing fee for petitions to: (1) defray costs related to such petitions under this Act; and (2) provide for research on the safety of genetic food additives. 
Authorizes an officer or employee conducting an inspection to order the detention of food if such person has reason to believe that such food violates the FFDCA. Requires all food retailers to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite recalls, embargoes, and seizures.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E687-688)
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-5271
Sponsor: Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Agricultural industries
Agriculture and Food
Animals
Biotechnology
Civil actions and liability
Commerce
Genetic engineering
Legal fees
Liability (Law)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Science, Technology, Communications
Transgenic animals
Transgenic plants

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act of 2005 - States that a biotech company shall be liable, and that the liability may not be waived or avoided, to any party injured by the release of a genetically engineered organism into the environment if the injury results from such genetic engineering.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman .
action_date: 2006-05-02
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: 2006-05-02
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: 2006-05-02
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: 2006-05-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E687-688)
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Firefighters Special Operation Task Force Act

Bill: 109-hr-5272
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Chemical industries
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency communication systems
Employee training
Energy
Environmental Protection
Equipment and supplies
Fire departments
Fire fighters
Fire prevention
Grants-in-aid
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
International Affairs
Labor and Employment
Layoffs
Motor vehicles
Nuclear power plants
Petroleum refineries
Police communication systems
Salaries
Science, Technology, Communications
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Urban affairs
Urban areas
Weapons of mass destruction

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Firefighters Special Operation Task Force Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration to award up to 100 grants for task forces (two or more fire services that collectively consist of at least 50 firefighting personnel, operating under a cooperative agreement to coordinate incident response) each fiscal year for: (1) salary and benefits to hire firefighting personnel; (2) training; (3) equipment or support systems; (4) communications between task force members and a local police department or hospital or with any other appropriate governmental or private sector entity; and (5) compatibility and interoperability of training and equipment.
 
Requires the Administrator to give priority to task forces serving geographic areas that have a high population density or that are located within 50 miles of: (1) a nuclear power facility; (2) a large facility that produces, treats, or refines chemicals or petroleum products; (3) a business district of national significance; or (4) a location with one or more critical infrastructures.
 
Requires grantees to obtain non-federal matching funds of at least 55% of the amount awarded by the Administrator for each fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Network Neutrality Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5273
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Broadband
Commerce
Commercial arbitration
Consumer complaints
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Damages
Electronic commerce
Evidence (Law)
Federal Communications Commission
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Independent regulatory commissions
Information networks
Injunctions
Internet
Law
Mediation
Restrictive trade practices
Telecommunication rates

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Network Neutrality Act of 2006 - States that it is the policy of the United States to, among other things, maintain the freedom to use broadband telecommunications networks, including the Internet, without interference from network operators.
 
Outlines specified duties of broadband network providers to ensure broadband network neutrality, including the duty to: (1) enable users to utilize their broadband service to access all lawful content, applications, and services available over broadband networks, including the Internet; and (2) not block, impair, degrade, discriminate against, or interfere with the ability of any person to utilize their broadband service for lawful purposes. Provides exceptions for providers, including implementing reasonable measures to manage its networks and protect network security.
 
Provides for implementation and enforcement of this Act through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E680-681)
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Boating Safety Tax Incentive Act

Bill: 109-hr-5274
Sponsor: Rep. Sweeney, John E. [R-NY-20]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Boats and boating
Commerce
Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Equipment and supplies
Geographic information systems
Income tax
Manufacturing industries
Marine safety
Safety appliances
Science, Technology, Communications
Sports and Recreation
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Boating Safety Tax Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow boat manufacturers a tax deduction for boating safety equipment provided to purchasers of new recreational boats and certain other small maritime vessels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
To establish the Silver Scholarship program to provide transferable educational awards to older individuals who have performed certain volunteer services.

Bill: 109-hr-5275
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adult education
College costs
Economics and Public Finance
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Federal aid to education
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Mentoring
Older workers
Scholarships
Secondary education
Social Welfare
Volunteer workers

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Assistant Secretary for Aging to make grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations experienced in administering volunteer programs to provide $1,000 scholarships to older individuals who perform at least 600 hours of volunteer service with such agencies or organizations within a 12-month period. Allows the proration of such scholarships when an individual, due to compelling personal circumstances, cannot perform 600, but performs at least 300, hours of service within such period.
 
Allows a scholarship recipient to designate another individual to use such scholarship.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Select Education.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
Life-long Learning Opportunity Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5276
Sponsor: Rep. Wu, David [D-OR-1]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adult education
College costs
Continuing education
Distance education
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to education
Higher education
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Student aid

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Lifelong Learning Opportunity Act of 2006 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to higher education institutions for life-long learning programs that provide older individuals who are not enrolled in such institutions the opportunity to audit courses free of charge. Requires such programs to provide such individuals with registration assistance and financial assistance for text books and associated course fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Select Education.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House