hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Executive Order Integrity Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3405
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Classified defense information
Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive relations
Executive orders
Government publicity

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Executive Order Integrity Act of 2008 - Requires revocations, modifications, waivers, and suspensions of presidential proclamations and executive orders to be published in the Federal Register within 30 days after such actions.
 
Requires any such information which is classified to be provided to Congress, using the security procedures established under the National Security Act of 1947, in the form of a classified annex delivered to: (1) the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate; (2) the Speaker, and Majority and Minority Leaders of the House of Representatives; (3) the congressional judiciary committees; and (4) if the information pertains to national security matters, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7955-7956)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7955)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize commanders of wounded warrior battalions to accept charitable gifts on behalf of the wounded members of the Armed Forces assigned to such battalions.

Bill: 110-s-3407
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional reporting requirements
Gifts
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Authorizes a unit commander in grade O-5 or higher to accept charitable gifts on behalf of certain individuals who incur a wound, injury, or illness in the line of duty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7959-7960)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Comparative Effectiveness Research Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3408
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accident insurance
Auditing
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Drugs
Economics and Public Finance
Evaluation research (Social action programs)
Finance and Financial Sector
Government trust funds
Health insurance
Medical research
Medical statistics
Medical technology
Medicare
Pharmaceutical research
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Comparative Effectiveness Research Act of 2008 - Amends title XI (General Provisions, Peer Review, and Administrative Simplification) of the Social Security Act to provide for a program of comparative effectiveness research for health care. Defines &quot;comparative effectiveness research&quot; as research evaluating and comparing the implications and outcomes of two or more health care strategies to address a particular medical condition. 

Establishes the Health Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Institute as a nonprofit, nongovernmental, corporation to conduct research on the effectiveness of health care treatments, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and procedures, and other therapies. Requires the Institute to: (1) identify national priorities for comparative clinical effectiveness research; (2) establish and update a research project agenda and provide for peer review of research; (3) collect data on health care treatments; (4) establish a standing methodology committee for developing the science of comparative effectiveness research; and (5) disseminate research findings.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund. Provides revenues for the Trust Fund by transferring amounts from the General Fund and the Medicare Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds and by imposing a fee on certain accident or health insurance policies and self-insured health plans. Requires the Comptroller General to review financial audits of the Institute and assess the adequacy and use of funding. Terminates all funding for the Trust Fund after FY2018.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the process for making national coverage determinations under the Medicare program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7961-7966)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7960-7961)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Drug and Device Accountability Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3409
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative fees
Clinical trials
Commerce
Communication in medicine
Damages
Data banks
Defective products
Drug adulteration
Drug approvals
Drug industry
Drugs
Economics and Public Finance
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Health information systems
Imports
Internet
Labeling
Law
Licenses
Medical technology
Product safety
Science, Technology, Communications
Subpoena
Wage restitution
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Drug and Device Accountability Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to deem a drug or device to be misbranded unless certain conditions related to registration of establishments, identification of prior transactions, labeling for country of manufacture, and provision of required information on importation are met.

Includes in the definition of &quot;drug&quot; a precursor ingredient.

Repeals the registration exemption for manufacturers of harmless inactive ingredients that become components of drugs.

Expands the information required to be included for registration of establishments.

Deems a drug to be adulterated if certain conditions related to verification of identity and purity, identification of establishments, consistency with current manufacturing technologies, and conformity with good distribution and import practices are not met.

Sets forth provisions governing importation of a drug. 

Sets forth required actions, including cessation of distribution, if there is a reasonable probability that a drug intended for human use would cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Establishes actions manufacturers must take regarding any defective drug.

Sets forth additional required certifications for submissions related to drugs and devices regarding accuracy of information submitted and personal knowledge of such information.

Establishes whistleblower protection for employees providing information regarding a drug, biological product, or device.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a corps of inspectors dedicated to inspections of foreign establishments and foreign facilities.

Authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations, subpoena witnesses, and compel attendance of witnesses as necessary to carry out authority under the FFDCA or provisions governing the regulation of biological products.

Requires reports to the Secretary regarding certain civil actions involving a regulated product.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Access to Mainstream Financial Institutions Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3410
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Alaska
Bank accounts
Bank loans
Charities
Commerce
Community development banking
Consumer credit
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to Indians
Grants-in-aid
Hawaiians
Indigenous peoples
Labor and Employment
Labor unions
Minorities
Social Welfare
Tax-exempt organizations
Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Improving Access to Mainstream Financial Institutions Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to award grants, including multi-year grants, to specified eligible entities to establish an account in a federally insured depository institution for low- and moderate-income individuals who currently do not have such an account. Includes among such eligible entities: (1) Alaska Native Corporations; (2) Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) labor organizations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award demonstration project grants to eligible entities to provide low-cost, small loans to consumers that will provide alternatives to more costly, predatory payday loans. Requires such entities to be: (1) tax-exempt charitable organizations; (2) federally insured depository institutions; (3) community development financial institutions; or (4) partnerships comprised of one or more of such entities. Requires grant recipients to offer financial literacy and education opportunities to each consumer provided with a loan pursuant to this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7969-7970)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7968-7969)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Superior National Forest Land Adjustment Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3411
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Commerce
Corporations
Land transfers
Mines and mineral resources
Minnesota
National forests

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Superior National Forest Land Adjustment Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, after consideration of specified public interest factors, to sell certain lands in Superior National Forest in Minnesota. Requires: (1) consideration for a sale of lands to be not less than the appraised market value of those lands; and (2) the first offer for the sale of the lands under this Act to be made to Poly Met Mining, Inc. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Access for All America Act

Bill: 110-s-3412
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Authorization
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to health facilities
Higher education
Medical education
Medical fees
Medically uninsured
Public health personnel
Quality of care
Scholarships
Student loan funds

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Access for All America Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to public or nonprofit entities certified as federally qualified health centers to operate community health centers and provide basic health and support services to medically underserved populations. Provides for the conversion of existing family medical practices to federally qualified health centers. Sets forth requirements for grant applicants relating to accessibility of services to underserved populations, quality assurance, standard fee and discount schedules, nondenial of services, and cultural awareness.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2015 the authorization of appropriations for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Access for All America Act

Bill: 110-s-3413
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Authorization
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to health facilities
Higher education
Medical education
Medical fees
Medically uninsured
Public health personnel
Quality of care
Scholarships
Student loan funds

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Access for All America Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to public or nonprofit entities certified as federally qualified health centers to operate community health centers and provide basic health and support services to medically underserved populations. Provides for the conversion of existing family medical practices to federally qualified health centers. Sets forth requirements for grant applicants relating to accessibility of services to underserved populations, quality assurance, standard fee and discount schedules, nondenial of services, and cultural awareness.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2015 the authorization of appropriations for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7971-7973)
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Visa Efficiency and E-Verify Extension Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3414
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Alien labor
Commerce
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Employee selection
Illegal aliens
Immigrants
Internet
Labor and Employment
Religion
Science, Technology, Communications
Small business
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Visa Efficiency and E-Verify Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY2002-FY2007.
 
Establishes the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 minus the number of certain aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY2002-FY2007. (States that such annual level shall not be less than 226,000.)
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program through June 1, 2013. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program by no later than December 31, 2008.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until October 1, 2011.
 
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend the employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs (which includes the E-Verify basic pilot program) for five years. 
 
Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary, for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008, to enter into a fiscal year agreement which shall: (1) provide funds to the Commissioner for such programs' full costs in quarterly advances; and (2) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of costs incurred and funds provided. Provides for interim funding continuation (based upon the latest agreement) if an agreement has not been reached by October 1 of a fiscal year.
 
Requires that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct studies regarding: (1) erroneous tentative nonconfirmations under the E-Verify program; and (2) such program's effects on small entities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3415
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Construction costs
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Federal aid to water resources development
Hydroelectric power
Infrastructure
Missouri River development
Montana
North Dakota
Water conservation
Water supply

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement to provide federal assistance for the planning, design, and construction of the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System for specified counties in Montana and North Dakota.

Lists agreement requirements. Limits the federal share of planning, design, and construction of the System to 75% of the total cost. Delineates the components of System facilities for which federal funds may be expended and the System's service area. Limits the obligation of funds for construction. Provides that any cost relating to the System's operation, maintenance, or replacement shall not be a federal responsibility and shall be paid by the System.

Directs the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration to make available to the System a quantity of power required to meet the System's pumping and incidental operation requirements from the water intake facilities and through the water treatment facilities and all first water distribution pumping facilities. Makes the System eligible to receive power only if it operates on a nonprofit basis and is constructed pursuant to the agreement. 

Directs the Authority to develop a water conservation plan containing a description of water conservation objectives and measures and a schedule for carrying out such measures. Requires the plan to be designed to ensure that users of water provided by the System will use the best practical technology and management techniques to conserve water.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Aviation Administration Employee Retention Act

Bill: 110-s-3416
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air traffic
Collective bargaining
Department of Transportation
Employee-management relations in government
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Mediation
Personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Federal Aviation Administration Employee Retention Act - Revises requirements for the dispute resolution process of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding negotiations with the exclusive bargaining representative of FAA employees over proposed changes to the FAA personnel management system.
 
Requires submission of issues in controversy to the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) for binding arbitration if the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS, required by current law) have led to an impasse between the FAA and its employees in reaching an agreement. Prescribes a procedure for the appointment of a three-member arbitration board by the FSIP Executive Director.
 
Repeals the current requirement that, if the services of the FMCS do not lead to an agreement, the Administrator's proposed change to the personnel management system shall not take effect until 60 days have elapsed after the Administrator has transmitted the proposed changes, along with the objections of the employees to the changes, and the reasons for such objections, to Congress.
 
Provides a dispute resolution process alternative to the existing requirement to use FMCS services. Authorizes the FAA Administrator and the exclusive bargaining representative of FAA employees, by mutual agreement, to adopt alternative procedures for the resolution of disputes or impasses arising in the negotiation of a collective-bargaining agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to expand educational opportunities for recipients of temporary assistance for needy families.

Bill: 110-s-3417
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2008-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aid to dependent children
Cash welfare block grants
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Welfare work participation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 
Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to count 24 months of participation in post-secondary education toward work requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
State Video Tax Fairness Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3418
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2008-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Cable television
Direct broadcast satellites
Government Operations and Politics
Internet
State taxation
Taxation
Television broadcasting
Television programs
Television relay systems

Summary:
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: 
State Video Tax Fairness Act of 2008 - Prohibits any state from imposing a discriminatory tax on any means of providing multichannel video programming distribution services, including Internet protocol technology (or any successor protocol), direct broadcast satellite delivery, and cable television services. 
 
Defines a tax as discriminatory if the net tax imposed on one means of providing multichannel video service is higher than the net tax rate imposed on another. 
 
Applies this prohibition only to any tax imposed on or after January 1, 2008. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate