hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Access to Language Education Act

Bill: 110-hr-1765
Sponsor: Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Congressional reporting requirements
Education
Educational television
Elementary and secondary education
English language
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
International Affairs
International competitiveness
Internet
Language and languages
Literacy programs
Television frequency allocation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Access to Language Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to submit a plan to Congress for national distribution of two video programming channels, one providing instruction in English for non-English speaking individuals, the other providing instruction in languages that are not widely taught in U.S. educational institutions and that are likely to have significant value for the United States in global competitiveness, trade, international relations, national security, and defense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act

Bill: 110-hr-1767
Sponsor: Rep. Clay, Wm. Lacy [D-MO-1]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Advertising
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Consumer credit
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Contracts
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal liability
Damages
Deceptive advertising
District courts
Evidence (Law)
Federal Reserve System
Federal Trade Commission
Federal preemption
Fees
Finance and Financial Sector
Financial statements
Fines (Penalties)
Fraud
Garnishment
Government Operations and Politics
Government liability
Government paperwork
Independent regulatory commissions
Injunctions
Insurance premiums
Labeling
Labor and Employment
Law
Lease and rental services
Leases
Liability (Law)
Liability insurance
Limitation of actions
Maintenance and repair
Negotiable instruments
Parties to actions
Prices
Property insurance
Rent
Restrictive trade practices
Small business
State laws
Surety and fidelity
Taxation
Warranties

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
 Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe consumer protection guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements; (3) prohibitions against confessions of judgment, wage assignments, and waiver of consumer claims or defenses; (4) furnishing of statements of account; (5) point-of-rental disclosures; and (6) rental-purchase advertising disclosures.
 

 
Declares that an action for civil liability may be brought against a merchant's assignee only if the violation is apparent on the face of a rental-purchase agreement to which it relates, including, but not limited to, a disclosure that can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate from the face of the agreement. 
 
Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to promulgate implementing regulations. 
 
Grants enforcement powers to the Federal Trade Commission and to state attorneys general. 
 
Subjects to criminal penalties any willful and knowing violation of the information disclosure requirements of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Federal Stimulus of Commercial Application of Energy Technology Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-1768
Sponsor: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative energy sources
Building construction
Commercialization
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Federal office buildings
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Government paperwork
Revolving funds
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Federal Stimulus of Commercial Application of Energy Technology Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish the Innovative Energy Technologies Fund for Federal Buildings and to administer the Fund to enable federal agencies to demonstrate innovative energy technologies for retrofit or new construction of federal buildings and facilities. 

Allows federal agencies to apply to the Secretary for a loan for financing the demonstration of innovative energy technology projects and requires such agencies to repay the Fund from savings in energy other costs attributable to actions taken as a result of the project undertaken with the loan. Permits a federal agency, in addition to financing an innovative energy technology project, to use the loan amount to pay the costs of administration and the development of proposals for subsequent projects to further develop the technology and to acquire and operate equipment necessary to monitor and verify associated energy savings. Requires a federal agency to repay to the Fund the principal amount of the loan and fees determined by the Secretary to cover costs of administering the loan. 

Requires a federal agency to submit specified annual reports to the Secretary with respect to the implementation of innovative energy technology projects for which loans are provided under this Act.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the operations of the Fund and the total expenditures from the Fund to each federal agency and examples of project successes and failures in meeting energy savings projections. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act

Bill: 110-hr-1769
Sponsor: Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animals
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Endangered species
Fishery management
Hunting
Law
Legislation
Licenses
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine mammals
Minorities
Native Americans
Oregon
Rivers
Salmon
Seals (Animals)
Sports and Recreation
Washington State
Water Resources Development
Wildlife management

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to issue one-year permits for the lethal taking of California sea lions if the Secretary determines that alternative measures to reduce sea lion predation on threatened or endangered salmonid stocks in the Columbia River do not adequately protect the salmonid stocks from such predation. Limits the cumulative annual taking of California sea lions to one percent of the annual potential biological removal level of such sea lions. Requires the Secretary to determine whether alternative measures to reduce sea lion predation on salmonid stocks will adequately protect such stocks.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) nonlethal means of preventing sea lion predation of salmonid stocks in the Columbia River is preferable to lethal means; (2) permit holders exercising lethal removal authority should be trained in wildlife management; and (3) the federal government should continue to fund, research, and support effective nonlethal alternative measures for preventing such predation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Corrosion Prevention Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-1770
Sponsor: Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Commerce
Corrosion
Department of the Treasury
Environmental Protection
Government Operations and Politics
Income tax
Law
Licenses
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Corrosion Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 50% of net expenditures for engineering design, materials, and application and installation of corrosion prevention and mitigation technology for depreciable property comprised primarily of metals susceptible to corrosion. Terminates such credit after 2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Rural Wind Energy Development Act

Bill: 110-hr-1772
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Depreciation and amortization
Energy
Income tax
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Wind power

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Rural Wind Energy Development Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax credit for the installation of wind energy property; and (2) an accelerated depreciation allowance for such property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E718)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a separate definition of outpatient speech-language pathology services under the Medicare Program in order that direct payment to speech-language pathologists may be made under the Medicare Program.

Bill: 110-hr-1774
Sponsor: Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Ambulatory care
Medical fees
Medicare
Social Welfare
Speech disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define outpatient speech-language pathology services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2007-03-29
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: 2007-03-29
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: 2007-03-29
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: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Freedom of Information Improvement Act

Bill: 110-hr-1775
Sponsor: Rep. Cardoza, Dennis A. [D-CA-18]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Freedom of information
Government contractors
Government procurement
Governmental investigations
Public records
Trade secrets

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Freedom of Information Improvement Act - Amends the Freedom of Information Act concerning requests involving access to records relating to federal contracts. Provides that information submitted to the federal government to obtain, amend, or clarify a contract shall not be considered to be trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, unless the information is proprietary information. Requires an agency to release requested information (unless shown to be exempt): (1) relating to whether a contractor performed the work required; (2) indicating the use of substandard materials or work practices; (3) relating to information that is discovered as part of a government investigation of a contract or that is revealed because of the existence of credible evidence raising doubts concerning the contractor's performance because of investigations for past poor performance or because the contractor has been the subject of credible and consistent press reports pertaining to performance of government contracts; or (4) if disclosure of the information will contribute to public understanding and knowledge.

Requires any information released pursuant to this Act to relate solely to the federal contract involved and not to unrelated aspects of the company concerned.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Call Center Consumer's Right to Know Act

Bill: 110-hr-1776
Sponsor: Rep. Altmire, Jason [D-PA-4]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Customer service
Federal Trade Commission
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Independent regulatory commissions
Internet
Law
Science, Technology, Communications
Telemarketing
Telephone

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Call Center Consumer's Right to Know Act - Directs each U.S. corporation or subsidiary that utilizes a call center to initiate telephone calls to, or receive calls from, individuals located in the United States to require each call center employee to disclose the physical location of such employee at the beginning of such call.
 
Requires such corporation or subsidiary to annually certify to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) their compliance with such requirement. Subjects noncomplying corporations or subsidiaries to such civil penalties as the FTC may prescribe.
 
Directs the FTC to prescribe rules for effective monitoring and compliance with such requirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-12
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to accept late filings in certain cases of unintentional delay.

Bill: 110-hr-1778
Sponsor: Rep. Delahunt, William D. [D-MA-10]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Commerce
Government Operations and Politics
Intellectual property
Law
Patents
Trademarks

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Authorizes the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to accept any application or other filing made by an applicant for, or owner of, a patent or trademark after the applicable deadline, as the Director considers appropriate, if the applicant or owner files a petition within 30 days after such deadline showing that the delay was unintentional. Deems such a petition denied if the Director has not made a decision within 60 days. Provides that the Director's decision is not subject to judicial review.
 
Deems that the 30-day period to file a petition after the deadline begins on the date of enactment of this Act for trademark applicants or owners.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-1779
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child development
Economics and Public Finance
Education of the disadvantaged
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Federal aid to education
Higher education
Preschool education
Reading
Scholarships
Social Welfare
Student loan funds
Teachers

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to assume or cancel loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan or the Direct Loan programs to individuals who have been employed as Head Start teachers for five consecutive complete program years, if they have demonstrated knowledge and teaching skills in reading, writing, early childhood development, and other areas of a preschool curriculum, with a focus on cognitive learning.
 
Limits the benefits of this Act to individuals who earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree on or after the date of this Act's enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Securities Protection Act

Bill: 110-hr-1780
Sponsor: Rep. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL-10]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Auditing
Commerce
Corporate accountability
Corporate management
Corporation directors
Financial statements
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Information disclosure (Securities law)
Law
Risk
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities regulation
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Small Business Securities Protection Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to instruct the Securities and Exchange Commission to prescribe rules that incorporate risk-based concepts in evaluating internal control over financial reporting for issuers.
 
Requires such rules also to incorporate: (1) specific guidelines for measuring the terms &quot;material,&quot; &quot;reasonable,&quot; &quot;significant,&quot; and &quot;sufficient&quot; in the context of internal control over financial reporting; (2) a requirement that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board consider the efficiency of audit practices in its inspections; (3) alternative requirements for smaller issuers that reflect the relative size and complexity of smaller issuers, and the relative financial and manpower burdens placed on them in testing and documenting internal controls; and (4) revised standards for independence by auditors to permit the rendering of internal control advice for resolution of internal control issues and related liability safe harbors for auditors providing such advice to smaller issuers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E701)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to waive the repayment of any Federal-aid highway funds expended on the construction of any high occupancy lanes on the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways in the Hampton Roads area of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Bill: 110-hr-1782
Sponsor: Rep. Drake, Thelma D. [R-VA-2]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Car pools
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to transportation
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Interstate highway system
Limited access highways
Road construction
State laws
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to allow the commonwealth of Virginia to remove the high occupancy vehicle designation for one or more of Interstate Routes I-64, I-264, and I-564 in the Hampton Roads area. Requires the Secretary to waive the repayment of federal highway funds expended by the commonwealth of Virginia on the construction of any high occupancy lane or auxiliary lane on such routes due to the removal of the high occupancy designation on such lane.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
Protect Law Enforcement Armor Act

Bill: 110-hr-1784
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Ammunition
Department of Justice
Equipment and supplies
Fines (Penalties)
Firearms
Firearms control
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Law enforcement officers
Police
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Protect Law Enforcement Armor Act or the PLEA Act - Amends the federal criminal code to expand the definition of &quot;armor piercing ammunition&quot; to include a projectile that: (1) may be used in a handgun; and (2) the Attorney General determines to be capable of penetrating body armor. 

Directs the Attorney General to promulgate standards for the uniform testing of projectiles against Body Armor Exemplar (i.e., body armor that the Attorney General determines meets minimum standards for the protection of law enforcement officers), taking into account variations in performance related to the type of handgun used, the length of the barrel, the amount and kind of powder used to propel the projectile, and the projectile's design.

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, possession, or transfer of the Fabrique Nationale Herstal Five-SeveN Pistol, 5.7 x 28mm SS190 and SS192 cartridges, or any other handgun that uses armor piercing ammunition, except: (1) where manufactured and sold exclusively to U.S. military, law enforcement, or intelligence agencies; and (2) by a licensed manufacturer or contractor for the purpose of examining and testing to determine whether such prohibition applies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-04-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2007-03-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E724-725)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in House