hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Build America Bonds Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2021
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative fees
Bonds
Bridges
Commerce
Corporations
Customs administration
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government trust funds
Harbors
Highway finance
Income tax
Infrastructure
Inland water transportation
Investment of public funds
Law
Marine terminals
Mass rapid transit
Railroad finance
Tax credits
Tax-exempt organizations
Transportation and Public Works
Waterways

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Build America Bonds Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit to a taxpayer holding a Build America bond on one or more of its credit allowance dates.
 
Defines a &quot;Build America bond&quot; as any bond issued by the Transportation Finance Corporation as part of an issue if 95% or more of the proceeds from such issue are to be used for expenditures incurred for one or more qualified projects. Requires proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under this Act to be held in a Build America Bonds Trust Account. 
 
Defines &quot;qualified project&quot; as the capital improvements to any transportation infrastructure project (including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways) proposed by one or more states and approved by the Transportation Finance Corporation. 
 
Grants Congress' consent and recognition to the establishment by two or more state infrastructure banks of the Transportation Finance Corporation. Authorizes the Transportation Finance Corporation to: (1) issue Build America bonds for the financing of qualified projects; (2) establish and operate the Build America Bonds Trust Account; (3) leverage resources and stimulate public and private investment in transportation infrastructure; and (4) perform any other function the sole purpose of which is to carry out the financing of qualified projects through Build America bonds.
 
Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees for the processing of merchandise entered into the United States through October 14, 2026.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11215-11216)
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the closure or relocation of any county office of the Farm Service Agency until at least one year after the enactment of an Act to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007.

Bill: 110-s-2022
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Authorization
Congress
Department of Agriculture
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federal employees
Federal office buildings
Government Operations and Politics
Legislation
Relocation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating any Farm Service Agency (FSA) county or field office until at least one year after enactment of an omnibus law to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007 unless such office, for 180 consecutive days during the two-year period ending on such date of enactment, had zero employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana, as the "Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office".

Bill: 110-s-2023
Sponsor: Sen. Bayh, Evan [D-IN]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Army
Congressional tributes
Government Operations and Politics
Indiana
Military personnel
Names
Postal facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana, as the "Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-22
text: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S156)
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 387.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair and Representative Presidential Primaries Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2024
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Election Day
Injunctions
Law
Political conventions
Presidential elections
Primaries
State laws

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Fair and Representative Presidential Primaries Act of 2007 - Divides the United States into six regions of specified states to provide for: (1) interregional primary elections and caucuses, according to a certain order; and (2) selection of delegates to political party presidential and vice presidential national nominating conventions. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11217)
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11216-11217)
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility criteria for special monthly pension.

Bill: 110-s-2025
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disabled
Labor and Employment
Veterans' disability compensation
Veterans' pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Authorizes the payment of an additional special monthly pension, to a veteran already eligible for a basic pension due to service during a period of war and having a permanent and total non-service-connected disability, if such veteran either: (1) has an additional disability or disabilities rated at 60% or more; or (2) by reason of a disability or disabilities is permanently housebound but does not qualify for pension at the aid and attendance rate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Agent Orange Equitable Compensation Act

Bill: 110-s-2026
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disabled
Environmental Protection
Herbicides
Veterans' disability compensation
Vietnam veterans

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Agent Orange Equitable Compensation Act - States that awards of veterans' disability compensation based on a presumption of service-connection due to exposure to certain herbicide agents during service in Vietnam (Agent Orange compensation) shall not be effective earlier than the effective date of the regulation establishing such presumption.
 
States that, for purposes of such presumption, a veteran will be considered to have served in Vietnam only if the veteran was physically present on land in Vietnam or on its inland waterways, and not if the veteran served only on the waters offshore or in airspace above.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans' Pride Initiative Act

Bill: 110-s-2027
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Commemorations
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Holidays
Memorial Day
Military dependents
Military medals, decorations, etc.
Veterans Day

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Veterans' Pride Initiative Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and promote programs and activities for honoring veterans, increasing public awareness and appreciation of veterans' service, and encouraging veterans and their families to express pride in such service.
 
Authorizes the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran to wear awards and decorations earned by the veteran during programs and activities in connection with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day events, as well as such other patriotic observances as the Secretary may prescribe.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Louisiana Road Home Act

Bill: 110-s-2028
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Authorization
Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Federal aid to housing
Home ownership
Hurricanes
Louisiana

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Louisiana Road Home Act - Authorizes appropriations for the state of Louisiana to carry out the Road Home Program, provided that as of June 1, 2007, the state has provided at least $1 billion for the Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11217)
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11217)
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2029
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Commerce
Drug industry
Drugs
Families
Federal aid to child health services
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Health insurance
Medicaid
Medical supplies
Medically uninsured
Medicare
Physicians
Poor children
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2007 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act to require quarterly transparency reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of payments to physicians or their employers by manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, or medical supplies under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11217-11218)
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reporting relating to bundled contributions made by persons other than registered lobbyists.

Bill: 110-s-2030
Sponsor: Sen. Obama, Barack [D-IL]
Introduced: 2007-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Campaign funds
Election candidates
Families
Government paperwork
Lobbying
Married people
Political action committees
Political parties
Politicians' families
Presidential elections

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: 
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, to revise requirements for disclosure of bundled contributions, particularly by an authorized committee of a candidate for the office of President or for nomination to such office (presidential candidate committee).

Applies such reporting requirements to bundled contributions by persons other than registered lobbyists. Requires reporting of lobbyist contributions on a separate schedule.

Sets the covered period for such reports as the two-year period preceding a presidential election, as well as any applicable reporting period during which any person provided two or more bundled contributions in an aggregate amount greater than the specified applicable amount.

Increases the applicable threshold triggering such reporting requirement from $15,000 (currently applicable to any authorized committee of a candidate, a leadership PAC, or a political party committee) to $50,000 in the case of a presidential candidate committee. 

Excludes from the calculation of a bundled contribution any contribution by the candidate or the candidate's spouse.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2007-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
States' Right To Innovate in Health Care Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2031
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2007-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Comprehensive health care
Department of Health and Human Services
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federal aid to health facilities
Government Operations and Politics
Health insurance
Health planning
Health services administration
Interstate compacts

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: 
States' Right To Innovate in Health Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (State Comprehensive Health Care and Cost Containment Demonstration Projects).
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a state-based Universal Health Care Coverage Commission to participate in the review of state applications for planning and demonstration grants for the development of a cost-effective delivery system of universal, comprehensive health care with simplified administration.
 
Authorizes such grants.
 
Requires a state plan to provide: (1) coverage of all eligible state residents, without regard to employment status, income, health status or preexisting condition, or location of residency within the state; and (2) health benefits that are at least actuarially equivalent to the standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.
 
Allows one or more contiguous states in a geographic region to file a joint application for such grants.
 
Authorizes Interstate Compacts of states to conduct joint health care programs under a grant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Puget Sound Watershed Comprehensive Conservation Project Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2032
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2007-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Agricultural conservation
Agriculture and Food
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to water pollution control
Federal-Indian relations
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Irrigation
Minorities
Native Americans
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sediment control
Soil erosion
Washington State
Water quality
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: 
Puget Sound Watershed Comprehensive Conservation Project Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) carry out a competitive grant program for the Puget Sound area to provide comprehensive conservation planning to address water quality; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with state and local governments, Indian tribes, or non-governmental entities with a history of working with agricultural producers to carry out projects under the program.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide project demonstration grants, provide technical assistance, and carry out information and education programs to improve water quality in the area by reducing soil erosion and improving sediment control; and (2) provide a priority for projects and activities that directly reduce soil erosion or improve water quality.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11270)
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2033
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2007-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Advertising
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces abroad
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Commerce
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Contracts
Crime and Law Enforcement
Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Federal Communications Commission
Federal preemption
Fees
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Independent regulatory commissions
Law
Maps
Military personnel
Quality of products
State laws
Telecommunication rates
Wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: 
Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007 - Requires that a wireless telephone service provider disclose, in a plain and conspicuous way, contract information regarding terms, charges, minutes, taxes and surcharges, and E-911 service in any publication of the contract, before a consumer enters into the contract, and in advertising.
 
Requires wireless service bills to be clearly organized and use plain language, have taxes and fees in a separate section, and itemize roaming charges.
 
Requires each provider to make available a map showing the wireless telephone service area of the provider and the wireless telephone service area of the provider in each state.
 
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to monitor the quality of wireless telephone service provided in the United States by requiring semiannual reports of wireless service providers.
 
Requires that early termination fees be prorated over the term of a wireless subscriber's contract in a way that reasonably links the fee to recovery of the cost of the device or other legitimate business expenses.
 
 Regulates service contract extensions, cancellation penalties, and changes in rates, terms, or conditions.
 
Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow a member of the uniformed services to terminate a cellular phone service contract in specified circumstances involving service of at least 90 days.
 
Preempts inconsistent state laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 110-1175.
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2007-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Copper Salmon Wilderness Act

Bill: 110-s-2034
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2007-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: National forests
Oregon
Water Resources Development
Wild rivers
Wilderness areas

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: 
Copper Salmon Wilderness Act - Amends: (1) the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984 to designate certain land in Siskiyou National Forest as the &quot;Copper Salmon Wilderness&quot;; and (2) the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified segments of the North and South Forks of the Elk River in Oregon as wild or scenic rivers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 659.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-307.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-307.
action_date: 2008-01-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-09-20
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-216.
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11329)
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11328-11329)
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Access to Safe Mortgages Act

Bill: 110-s-2036
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Mortgage interest rates
Mortgages

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: 
 Protecting Access to Safe Mortgages Act - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to increase mortgage portfolio limitations placed upon: (1) the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae); and (2) the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), respectively.
 
Instructs the Director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to lift: (1) the limitation on growth provision set forth in the Fannie Mae Consent Decree; and (2) the voluntary temporary growth limitation described in a certain Freddie Mac Letter.
 
Requires 50% of such portfolio increase to be used on loans which have had or will have interest rate resets between June 2005 and December 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to make it unlawful to sell a recalled product, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-2037
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2007-09-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Defective products
Environmental Protection
Labeling
Packaging

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-11
text: 
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to make it unlawful to sell a product that is: (1) not in conformity with an applicable consumer product safety standard; (2) subject to voluntary corrective action taken by the manufacturer and determined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to be unsafe; (3) subject to an order issued under provisions relating to imminent hazards or substantial product hazards; or (4) designated a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
 
Requires the manufacturer of a consumer product, regardless of whether it is subject to a consumer product safety standard, to place distinguishing marks on the product (as much as feasible), and on its packaging, that will enable the ultimate purchaser to determine the source, date, and cohort of production of the product by reference to those marks.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2007-09-11
text: Introduced in Senate