hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to provide compensation for United States citizens taken hostage by terrorists or State sponsors of terrorism.

Bill: 109-s-3878
Sponsor: Sen. Allen, George [R-VA]
Introduced: 2006-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Alien property
Civil actions and liability
Class actions (Civil procedure)
Compensation for victims of crime
Crime and Law Enforcement
Damages
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Fines (Penalties)
Food relief
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Forfeiture
Government Operations and Politics
Government liability (International law)
Government trust funds
Hostages
International claims
International relief
Iran
Iran Hostage Crisis
Iraq
Law
Middle East and North Africa
Petroleum
President and foreign policy
Terrorism
United Nations
Victims of terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-07
text: 
Authorizes the President to compensate a U.S. national, or his or her estate, who: (1) has a claim pending in U.S. court against a foreign state seeking compensation for injuries caused by an act of hostage-taking, or has obtained a judgment on such a claim that has not been fully satisfied; (2) on or after August 2, 1990, and while not serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, was taken hostage by a terrorist party; or (3) was a representative plaintiff or class member in Case Number 1:00CV03110(EGS) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. 
 
Bars a person who has accepted compensation under this Act from commencing or maintaining a U.S. civil action seeking compensation for such injuries or damages associated with such hostage taking against a foreign state or its agencies or instrumentalities. 
 
Funds compensation under this Act from the Hostage Victims Fund, into which the President shall direct deposits from: (1) blocked assets of terrorist parties; (2) amounts received against any person in connection with the U.N. Oil for Food Program; or (3) amounts received as a result of any fine or forfeiture in connection with a violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Bank Secrecy Act, or the Export Administration Act. 
 
Provides additional compensation for victims of the 1979 Iranian hostage taking in Tehran, including spouses and children of persons taken captive.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2006-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Personal Philanthropy Account Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3881
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2006-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Charities
Employee benefit plans
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Law
Self-employed
Social Welfare
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion
Tax penalties
Tax returns
Trusts and trustees

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-08
text: 
Personal Philanthropy Account Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction (whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions) for cash contributions to a personal philanthropy account. Defines &quot;personal philanthropy account&quot; as a tax-exempt trust created to make distributions for charitable purposes. Sets forth rules providing for employer contributions to such accounts, default charitable distributions in the event of an account holder's death, and minimum annual distributions.

Allows an exclusion from the gross income of an employee for contributions made by an employer to the employee's personal philanthropy account. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3882
Sponsor: Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2006-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Americans in foreign countries
Antiaircraft missiles
Appellate procedure
Armed Forces and National Security
Assault
Capital punishment
Classified defense information
Conspiracy
Criminal investigation
Depositions
Economics and Public Finance
Electronic surveillance
Evidence (Law)
Extortion
Families
Foreign agents
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Grants-in-aid
International Affairs
Kidnapping
Law
Licenses
Military training
Murder
Nuclear terrorism
Obstruction of justice
Postal service
Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Terrorism
Virus diseases
Warrants (Law)
Weapons of mass destruction
Witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-08
text: 
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2006 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties for providing material support or resources to a perpetrator of international terrorism, or to a family member of or other person associated with such perpetrator, with the intent to facilitate, reward, or encourage international terrorism.
 
Increases criminal penalties for providing material support or resources to terrorists and foreign terrorist organizations and for receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization.
 
Denies federal benefits to individuals convicted of a federal crime of terrorism.
 
Classified Information Procedures Reform Act of 2006 - Amends the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) to: (1) allow interlocutory appeals from any order for access to classified information (currently, appeals lie only from orders entered under CIPA); (2) require courts to grant certain ex parte government requests for CIPA protective orders; and (3) restrict access to classified information obtained from nondocumentary sources.
 
Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) prohibit hoaxes relating to terrorist offenses; (2) increase penalties for hoaxes about the death, injury, or capture of a member of the Armed Forces (U.S.); (3) include threats against a corporation or governmental entity in the crime of mailing threatening communications; (4) modify provisions relating to terrorist murders, kidnappings, and assaults; (5) impose criminal penalties for terrorist offenses resulting in death; (6) authorize the death penalty for certain terrorist crimes; and (7) increase penalties for false statements or obstruction of justice involving international or domestic terrorism.
 
Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to make certain notification requirements under such Act inapplicable to individuals seeking immigration benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 602.
action_date: 2006-09-08
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2006-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an alternate sulfur dioxide removal measurement for advanced coal-based generation technology units under the qualifying advanced coal project credit.

Bill: 109-s-3883
Sponsor: Sen. Coleman, Norm [R-MN]
Introduced: 2006-09-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Air pollution control
Coal
Electric power production
Energy
Environmental Protection
Income tax
Sulphur dioxide
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: 
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the qualifying advanced coal project tax credit to provide an alternate sulfur dioxide removal measurement for advanced coal-based generation technology electric generation units.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Lake Traverse Reservation Act Amendments of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3885
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]
Introduced: 2006-09-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Estates (Law)
Indian lands
Land transfers
Law
Minorities
South Dakota

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: 
Lake Traverse Reservation Act Amendments of 2006 - Amends federal Indian law to provide for the inheritance of small fractional interests within the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from using private debt collection companies, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-s-3887
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2006-09-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Collection of accounts
Department of the Treasury
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Income tax
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Tax administration

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: 
Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to suspend its plan to use private debt collection companies to collect unpaid taxes and prohibits the use of any IRS funds for tax collection contracts with private companies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9310)
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Fix And Improve Reimbursement (FAIR) for Physicians Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3888
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2006-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Medical fees
Medicare
Physicians
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: 
Fix And Improve Reimbursement (FAIR) for Physicians Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.
 
Establishes the Physician Payment Update Commission to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) on all matters relating to payment rates under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Requires the Commission to develop recommendations for establishment of a new Medicare physician payment system that would keep pace with increases in medical practice costs and provide stable, positive Medicare updates.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9363-9364)
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Gulf Coast Housing Accessibility Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3889
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2006-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Affordable housing
Alabama
Disabled
Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Federal aid to housing
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Florida
Government Operations and Politics
Home repair and improvement
Homeless
Housing for the aged
Housing for the disabled
Housing subsidies
Hurricane aftermath legislation
Hurricanes
Income tax
Louisiana
Low-income housing
Mississippi
Rent
Social Welfare
Tax credits
Taxation
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: 
Gulf Coast Housing Accessibility Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate additional assistance for project-based housing vouchers for individuals and households located within the disaster areas of Hurricane Katrina, Rita, or Wilma of 2005.
 
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to set forth conditions for providing permanent and semipermanent housing units.
 
Instructs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) enter into a mission assignment with the Secretary for a transfer of FEMA Disaster Relief Funds into the Disaster Voucher Program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) transfer into the Disaster Voucher Program individuals and households receiving transitional housing, rental, or other related assistance.
 
Permits such individuals and families to opt-out of such a transfer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9364-9365)
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9364)
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Energy for America Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3890
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2006-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Alternative energy sources
Commerce
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Energy
Energy crops
Energy efficiency
Federal aid to education
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Government lending
Grants-in-aid
Nonprofit organizations
Rebates
Rural economic development
Rural education
School districts
Small business
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: 
Rural Energy for America Act of 2006 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to rename the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program as the rural energy for America program (REAP).
 
Makes rural school districts eligible for REAP.
 
Authorizes: (1) production-based incentives in lieu of grants for electricity production from renewable energy systems contingent upon third-party sales; and (2) matching assistance for feasibility studies.
 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible entities to provide rebates for farmers, ranchers, rural school districts, and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Defines eligible entities as: (1) a state energy or agriculture office; (2) a nonprofit state-based energy efficiency or renewable energy organization that uses public funds provided directly or under contract with a state agency; (3) any other nonprofit organization with a demonstrated ability to administer a statewide energy efficiency or renewable energy rebate program; or (4) a consortium of such entities. Limits rebates to the lower of $10,000 or 50% of the cost to purchase a renewable energy system or an energy efficiency improvement.
 
Extends REAP funding through FY 2012 with set-asides for the rebate program.
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should implement a direct loan program to complement REAP grants.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9365-9366)
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
James Zadroga Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3891
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2006-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Claims
Compensation (Law)
Compensation for victims of crime
Crime and Law Enforcement
Families
Health
International Affairs
Mental illness
September 11, 2001
Survivors' benefits
Terrorism
Victims of terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: 
James Zadroga Act of 2006 - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (Fund), part of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, to extend the current December 22, 2003, deadline for filing claims under the Fund for five years following enactment of this Act if the Special Master determines that the individual: (1) was unaware that he or she had suffered physical harm as the result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist-related aircraft crashes until after the deadline and before enactment of this Act; (2) was unaware of his or her eligibility to file a claim until after December 22, 2003; (3) suffered psychological harm as a result of the crashes; or (4) in the case of an individual who had previously filed a claim, suffered a significantly greater physical harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed, but did not know its full extent until after the claim was filed and before enactment of this Act.
 
Allows the filing of a claim also during the five years after the individual first knew that he or she had suffered physical or psychological harm as the result of such crashes, if he or she did not know that until on or after enactment of this Act. Extends the same five-year filing allowance to anyone who did not know the full extent of the harm suffered until on or after the enactment of this Act, even though he or she had previously filed a claim and had suffered a significantly greater physical or psychological harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed. Waives the single claim requirement in such circumstances.
 
Makes a claimant eligible for compensation based on the psychological harm suffered as a result of the crashes.
 
Defines &quot;immediate aftermath&quot; for compensation eligibility purposes as any period of time after the crashes that was sufficiently close in time to them that there was a demonstrable risk to the claimant of resulting physical or psychological harm, including the period of time during which related rescue, recovery, and cleanup activities were conducted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9367)
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9366-9367)
action_date: 2006-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Death Reduction Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3892
Sponsor: Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]
Introduced: 2006-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border patrols
Crime and Law Enforcement
Demography
Emergency Management
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government statistics
Illegal aliens
Latin America
Lighting
Mexico
Mortality
Radio
Rescue work
Science, Technology, Communications
Weather

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: 
Border Death Reduction Act of 2006 - Directs the Commissioner of Customs to begin collecting data relevant to deaths occurring at the U.S.-Mexico border, divided by sector, and including: (1) causes, locations, and number of deaths; and (2) demographic characteristics, including the sex and approximate age of those deceased.
 
Directs the Commissioner to report to the Secretary of Homeland Security respecting: (1) annual border deaths; and (2) rescue beacon (as defined by this Act) placement.
 
Directs the Commissioner to deploy additional rescue beacons in all areas recommended in such report.
 
States that any person who commits an alien-smuggling related act and, in the course of such act, abandons an alien in a place not within sight of a paved road or rescue beacon shall be considered to have placed a person's life in jeopardy and subject to fine and/or up to 20 years in prison.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9632)
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9631-9632)
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the adjusted gross income limitation for qualified performing artists eligible for an above-the-line deduction for performance expenses.

Bill: 109-s-3893
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2006-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Cost of living adjustments
Economics and Public Finance
Entertainers
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Performing arts
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $16,000 to $30,000 the adjusted gross income limitation applicable to qualified performing artists who are eligible to deduct their performance expenses from gross income (above-the-line tax deduction). Provides for an inflation adjustment to such increased income limitation beginning in 2011. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to alleviate poverty by encouraging the employment of residents by empowerment zone businesses through the employment of residents in designated areas of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress.

Bill: 109-s-3894
Sponsor: Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]
Introduced: 2006-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Depressed areas
Economics and Public Finance
Enterprise zones
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Poverty
Residence requirements
Social Welfare
Unemployment
Urban affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow enterprise zone businesses operating in empowerment zones (economically depressed areas) who file necessary information with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development documenting reasonable efforts to meet the residency requirement applicable to zone employees to receive an exemption from such requirement if at least 35% of their employees during the final three months of a taxable year are residents of the empowerment zone or any area within a 15-mile radius of the qualified business which has been designated by any governmental unit as an area of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Sacramento River National Recreation Area Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3895
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2006-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
California
Grazing
National recreation areas
Rivers
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: 
Sacramento River National Recreation Area Act of 2006 - Establishes the Sacramento River National Recreation Area in California, consisting of specified public land in Tehama and Shasta Counties. Requires the development of a comprehensive plan for the long-range protection and management of such Area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Lester Nichols Presque Isle Light Station Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-3896
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2006-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Commemorations
Federal-local relations
Government Operations and Politics
Historic sites
History
Lenses
Lighthouses and lightships
Michigan

Summary:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: 
Lester Nichols Presque Isle Light Station Act of 2006 - Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to modify, in compliance with the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, the 2004 Agreement for Outgoing Loans (AOL) with Presque Isle Township, Michigan, in order to provide for return of the Historic Third Order Fresnel Lens to the lantern room atop the Presque Isle Light Station Lighthouse.
 
Declares that: (1) the United States shall retain ownership of the Lens; and (2) the active aid to navigation at the Lighthouse, together with associated electronic and lighthouse equipment, shall continue to be operated and maintained by the United States within the Lens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9633)
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9632-9633)
action_date: 2006-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate