hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Vessel Conveyance Act

Bill: 110-s-1632
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2007-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Armed Forces and National Security
Charities
Commemorations
Federal advisory bodies
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Historic sites
History
Law
Ships
Social Welfare
Surplus government property
Warships

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-14
text: 
Vessel Conveyance Act - Subjects the conveyance of a U.S. government vessel to an eligible entity for use as an educational, cultural, historical, charitable, or recreational or other public purpose to conditions that such vessel will be maintained and used for such purposes. Requires a vessel that is not maintained and used for such purposes to revert to the United States.
 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to convene a working group composed of representatives from the Maritime Adminsitration, the Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy to review and make recommendations on a common set of conditions for the conveyance of U.S. vessels to eligible entities.
 
Sets forth civil penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7812-7813)
action_date: 2007-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7750)
action_date: 2007-06-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7749-7750)
action_date: 2007-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including the battlefield and related sites of the Battle of Shepherdstown in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park or Antietam National Battlefield, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-1633
Sponsor: Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV]
Introduced: 2007-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Civil War
Commemorations
Congressional reporting requirements
Governmental investigations
Historic sites
History
Military parks
National parks
West Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study relating to the Battle of Shepherdstown in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, to evaluate: (1) the national significance of the Shepherdstown battlefield and related sites; and (2) the suitability and feasibility of adding Shepherdstown battlefield and such sites as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park or Antietam National Battlefield. 

action_date: 2008-06-16
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study relating to the Battle of Shepherdstown in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, to evaluate: (1) the national significance of the Shepherdstown battlefield and related sites; and (2) the suitability and feasibility of adding Shepherdstown battlefield and such sites as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park or Antietam National Battlefield. Authorizes appropriations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 791.
action_date: 2008-06-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-359.
action_date: 2008-06-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-359.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-04-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-480.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Implementation Act

Bill: 110-s-1634
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2007-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Alien labor
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Economic development
Economic growth
Economics and Public Finance
Federal-territorial relations
Labor and Employment
Northern Mariana Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: 
Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Implementation Act - Extends U.S. immigration laws, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, subject to a transition period through December 31, 2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-07-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 110-164.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the reimbursement of wildland firefighters for the cost of professional liability insurance.

Bill: 110-s-1635
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2007-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of Agriculture
Department of the Interior
Emergency Management
Federal employees
Finance and Financial Sector
Fire fighters
Forest fires
Insurance premiums
Liability insurance
National forests
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Supervisors

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: 
Amends the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1997 to provide for the reimbursement of temporary fire line supervisors (employees of the Department of the Interior or the Forest Service whose duties include temporary supervision to manage a wildland or managed fire) for the cost of professional liability insurance. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
National Guard and Reservists Financial Relief Act

Bill: 110-s-1636
Sponsor: Sen. Dole, Elizabeth [R-NC]
Introduced: 2007-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Annuities
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces reserves
Income tax
Individual retirement accounts
Labor and Employment
Military operations
Military personnel
National Guard
Tax exclusion
Tax penalties

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: 
National Guard and Reservists Financial Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the exemption from tax penalties for premature distributions from retirement plans by members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve called to active duty. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish a geothermal heat pump technology acceleration program relating to General Services Administration facilities.

Bill: 110-s-1637
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2007-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Air conditioning
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Energy
Energy conservation
Federal installations
Federal office buildings
Geothermal resources
Heat pumps

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: 
Requires the Administrator of General Services to establish a program to accelerate the use of geothermal heat pumps at General Services Administration (GSA) facilities. Requires such program to: (1) ensure centralized responsibility for the coordination of geothermal heat pump recommendations, practices, and activities of all relevant federal agencies; (2) provide technical assistance and operational guidance to tenants to achieve maximum feasible replacement of existing heating and cooling technologies with geothermal heat pump technologies within five years; and (3) establish methods to track the success of federal agencies with respect to that goal.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) review the current use of geothermal heat pump technologies in GSA facilities and the availability of such technologies to facility managers; and (2) establish an acceleration program to achieve maximum feasible replacement of existing heating and cooling technologies with geothermal heat pump technologies in each GSA facility.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) ensure that a manager responsible for accelerating the use of geothermal heat pump technologies is designated for each GSA geothermal heat pump technologies and practices facility; and (2) submit to Congress a plan for implementing, within five years, geothermal heat pump technologies and practices at GSA facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1640
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2007-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Boats and boating
Copyright
Intellectual property
Shipbuilding
Sports and Recreation
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: 
Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to specify that the design of a vessel's hull, deck, or combination of a hull and deck, including a plug or mold are protected (currently, only the design of the vessel hull is protected, including a plug or mold and the definition of hull includes the deck).
 
Redefines &quot;useful article&quot; and &quot;hull.&quot; Defines &quot;deck&quot; as the horizontal surface of the vessel that covers the hull, including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces, and exclusive of masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments.
 

action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to specify that the design of a vessel's hull, deck, or combination of a hull and deck, including a plug or mold are protected (currently, only the design of the vessel hull is protected, including a plug or mold and the definition of hull includes the deck).
 
Redefines &quot;useful article&quot; and &quot;hull.&quot; Defines &quot;deck&quot; as the horizontal surface of the vessel that covers the hull, including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces, and exclusive of masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12826; text as passed Senate: CR S12826)
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12826; text as passed Senate: CR S12826)
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 404.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7815)
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7815)
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Wetlands Loan Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1641
Sponsor: Sen. Coleman, Norm [R-MN]
Introduced: 2007-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Authorization
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Fees
Government trust funds
Habitat conservation
Hunting
Land transfers
Land use
Landowners
Migratory bird conservation
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sports and Recreation
Water Resources Development
Wetlands
Wildlife refuges

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: 
Wetlands Loan Act of 2007 - Amends the Wetlands Loan Act to increase and extend funding for conservation of migratory waterfowl and habitat essential to the preservation of such waterfowl for FY2009-FY2018. 

Requires such appropriated funds to be treated as advances to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which shall be repaid to the Treasury in annual amounts that are equal to the funds accruing to such Fund attributable to the portion of the price of migratory bird hunting stamps sold that year in excess of $15 per stamp. Declares that in any year for which funds are not appropriated pursuant to this Act and no amount remains to be repaid to the Treasury, such excess amount shall be deposited into the Fund.

Amends the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to revise provisions concerning the price of stamps. Sets forth the price of each stamp for 2009 through 2015, 2016 through 2022, and 2023 and thereafter.

Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to report to Congress on stamp price comparisons and the purchasing power of the revenue generated by the stamps.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the funds generated pursuant to this Act should be used for preserving and increasing waterfowl populations in accordance with the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and should supplement current conservation funding; (2) fee title acquisitions under this Act should be managed for public access in accordance with the requirements of any waterfowl production area designated as a component of the National Wildlife Refuge System under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966; and (3) this Act should be implemented in a manner that helps private landowners achieve their long-term land use objectives in ways that enhance the conservation of wetlands and wildlife habitat.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1643
Sponsor: Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]
Introduced: 2007-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Government trust funds
Indian water rights
Infrastructure
Minorities
New Mexico
Water conservation
Water supply

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: 
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Treasury a Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. 
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, for each of the ten years after enactment of this Act, to deposit in such Fund an amount equal to 30% of the revenues generated within the external boundaries of New Mexico that would otherwise be deposited in a reclamation fund established by the Act of June 17, 1902.
 
Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request of the Secretary of the Interior, to transfer to such Secretary such amounts in the Fund as are necessary to fund any activities of the Bureau of Reclamation related to Indian water rights settlements in New Mexico that are approved by Congress and that are associated with the planning, designing, or construction of: (1) water supply infrastructure; or (2) a project to rehabilitate a water delivery system to conserve water. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7816-7817)
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7816)
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Wildfire Presuppression Fuels Management Pilot Program Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1646
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2007-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation
Agricultural subsidies
Animals
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Fire prevention
Forest fires
Grazing
Habitat conservation
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Range management
Restoration ecology
Weeds

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: 
Wildfire Presuppression Fuels Management Pilot Program Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the environmental quality incentives program. 
 
Includes private land fire presuppression activities in the program.
 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make FY2008-FY2012 cost-share and incentive payments to contracting producers for fuels management conservation plans on private grazing land to help prevent wildfires fueled by invasive or noxious weed species, including activities relating to: (1) fuel breaks; (2) protection of wildlife habitat; (3) restoration of fire-damaged areas; and (4) conservation practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7817)
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7817)
action_date: 2007-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Servant Retirement Protection Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1647
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2007-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Civil service retirement
Government Operations and Politics
Labor and Employment
Old age, survivors and disability insurance
Social security beneficiaries

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: 
Public Servant Retirement Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the current windfall elimination provision (WEP) (that reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who also have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security) for individuals first performing non-covered service beginning one year after enactment of this Act. 

Establishes a new formula for the treatment of non-covered earnings in determining Social Security benefits. Applies such formula to individuals subject to the current WEP if the benefit under the new formula would be higher.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Guy Vang, Genevieve Chong Foung, Caroline Vang, and Meline "Melanie" Vang.

Bill: 110-s-1648
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2007-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Provides for the relief of Guy Vang, Genevieve Chong Foung, Caroline Vang, and Meline "Melanie" Vang.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Family Support Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1649
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2007-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces abroad
Armed forces reserves
Authorization
Caregivers
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Defense budgets
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Federal employees
Iraq compilation
Leave of absence
Married people
Military dependents
Military operations
Military research
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Sick leave

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: 
Military Family Support Act of 2007 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a program to authorize a caregiver (a federal employee at least 21 years of age capable of providing care to a child or other dependent family member of a member of the Armed Forces) to use: (1) any available sick leave for the provision of such care in the same manner as annual leave is used; and (2) any federal leave available to that caregiver as though that period of caregiving is a medical emergency. Requires the service member for whom the caregiving is provided to be performing service in support of a contingency operation or in situations for which hostile fire or imminent danger pay is authorized and to designate the caregiver for his or her family. Terminates the program on December 31, 2012.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) establish a program to authorize employees of private businesses to use sick or any other leave for caregiving in the same manner as above; and (2) solicit businesses to voluntarily participate in the program. Requires caregiver designation. Terminates the program on December 31, 2012.
 
Provides for an offsetting reduction in FY2008 appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for research, development, test and evaluation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-13
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7890-7891)
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7890)
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act

Bill: 110-s-1652
Sponsor: Sen. Dole, Elizabeth [R-NC]
Introduced: 2007-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Clothing
Commerce
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Grants-in-aid
Health
Health insurance
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Overhead costs
Tax credits
Taxation
Textile industry
Trade adjustment assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: 
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal group eligibility requirements for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) that: (1) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted production of the articles be a party to a free trade agreement with the United States; or (2) such country be a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.

Requires the Secretary of Labor, with respect to textile and apparel workers, to make group eligibility determinations without regard to the sales, imports, and production factors of the group eligibility requirements.

Requires funds provided to a state to cover the administrative costs associated with its TAA responsibilities to be sufficient to cover all costs associated with operating the program, including caseworker costs.

Increases the amount of payments for training of adversely affected workers under the Act.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the credit for health insurance costs of certain TAA and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension recipients.

Requires the Secretaries of the Treasury and of Labor each to carry out compatible and coordinated programs to simplify the TAA and credit eligibility process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate