hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Special Criminal Contempt of Congress Procedures Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6508
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Brad [D-NC-13]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congress
Congressional hearings
Congressional investigations
Congressional witnesses
Congressional-executive relations
Criminal investigation
Criminal procedure
Federal employees
Federal officials
Government Operations and Politics
House of Representatives
Law
Removal of officials
Special prosecutors
Subpoena
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Special Criminal Contempt of Congress Procedures Act of 2008 - Establishes alternate procedures for the prosecution of current or former officers or employees of the executive branch found in contempt of Congress for refusal to testify or produce documents in response to a congressional subpoena. 

Establishes a Special Division of the U.S. Supreme Court to hear such criminal contempt cases. Requires the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court to designate three judges or justices, one of whom shall be an active judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to serve on the Special Division. Requires the Special Division to appoint a special advocate to serve as the prosecuting attorney in criminal contempt cases after the Attorney General declines to present such cases to a grand jury. Grants full power and independent authority to the special advocate to exercise all prosecutorial functions and powers.

Sets forth provisions for the removal of the special advocate and the termination of the special advocate's authority. 

Makes this Act effective on January 20, 2009. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6509
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Department of Justice
Government Operations and Politics
Parole

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2008 - Extends the U.S. Parole Commission for three years (until October 31, 2011).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1478)
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
To require the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a national intelligence assessment on national security and energy security issues relating to rapidly escalating energy costs.

Bill: 110-hr-6510
Sponsor: Rep. Hoekstra, Peter [R-MI-2]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative energy sources
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Energy
Energy demand
Energy prices
Energy security
Energy supplies
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Governmental investigations
International Affairs
Iran
Latin America
Middle East and North Africa
Natural gas
Petroleum
Terrorism
Venezuela

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence assessment on national security and energy security issues relating to rapidly escalating energy costs, including: (1) the short- and long-term outlook for prices, supply, and demand for key forms of energy such as crude oil, natural gas, and alternative fuels; (2) the plans and intentions of key energy-producing and exporting nations with respect to energy production and supply; and (3) the national security implications.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital under construction in Aurora, Colorado, as the "Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Dietz Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital".

Bill: 110-hr-6511
Sponsor: Rep. Tancredo, Thomas G. [R-CO-6]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Colorado
Congressional tributes
Health
Military personnel
Names
Navy
Veterans' hospitals

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital under construction on the Fitzsimons Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, as the &quot;Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Dietz Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
Major Regulation Cost Review Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6512
Sponsor: Rep. Barrett, J. Gresham [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting
Administrative procedure
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Government paperwork
Government publications
Government regulation
Law
Planning

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Major Regulation Cost Review Act of 2008 - Requires each federal agency to publish in the Federal Register a plan for the periodic review of its major rules. Requires review of all existing major rules within five years and of all new rules within five years after their publication as a final rule.

Directs an agency to consider: (1) the continued need for the rule; (2) the nature of public complaints or comments concerning the rule; (3) the complexity of the rule; (4) the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other federal, state, and local governmental rules; and (5) the length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule. Requires the review to include a cost-benefit analysis of the rule, including an identification and consideration of a range of less costly regulatory alternatives. 

Requires each agency, annually, to publish a list of the major rules which are to be reviewed and which are to be included in an accounting statement and associated report to be submitted to Congress by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that every military chaplain has the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain's own conscience.

Bill: 110-hr-6514
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Church and state
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Military chaplains
Religion
Religious liberty

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Authorizes a military chaplain, if called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain's conscience.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-08-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
To require the Securities and Exchange Commission to reinstate the uptick rule on short sales of securities.

Bill: 110-hr-6517
Sponsor: Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Investments
Law
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) reinstate rule 10a-1 (the uptick rule) governing short sales of securities; (2) rescind the prohibition against applying certain price tests to short sales; and (3) reinstate price test restrictions that applied to short sales of securities prior to SEC action in a specified proceeding on June 28, 2007.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
Justice Integrity Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6518
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Criminal statistics
Discrimination in criminal justice administration
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Legislation
Minorities
Public prosecutors
Racial discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Justice Integrity Act of 2008 - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish a pilot program in 10 U.S. districts to promote fairness and the perception of fairness in the federal criminal justice system and to determine whether legislation is required; and (2) designate a U.S. attorney in each of the districts to implement a plan for carrying out such pilot program.

Requires each U.S. attorney designated to implement a pilot program to appoint an advisory group consisting of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other individuals and entities who play an important role in the criminal justice system. Requires each advisory group to: (1) collect and analyze data on the race and ethnicity of defendants at each stage of a criminal proceeding; (2) seek to determine causes of racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice process; and (3) submit to the U.S. attorney a report and proposed plan for addressing such disparities. Requires each U.S. attorney to annually evaluate the efficacy of a plan submitted by an advisory group. 

Requires the Attorney General to: (1) prepare a comprehensive report on all advisory group plans and submit such report and plans to Congress; and (2) exercise continuing oversight of the criminal justice system to reduce unwarranted racial and ethnic disparities and improve such system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to temporary admission of nonimmigrant aliens to the United States for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6519
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Access to health care
Admission of nonimmigrants
Aliens
Families
Health
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
 Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include among nonimmigrant classifications: (1) an alien seeking to enter the United States temporarily and solely to receive medical treatment (including participation in a research study) for a disease or condition that if untreated threatens to undermine the alien's survival or day-to-day functioning with an increased likelihood of progression to a more severe disease or condition; or (2) such alien's accompanying or following son, daughter, spouse, or parent.
 
Sets forth related conditions of admission.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
To increase global stability and security for the United States and the international community by reducing the number of individuals who are de jure or de facto stateless and at risk of being trafficked.

Bill: 110-hr-6520
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of State
Federal employees
Forced labor
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
Immigration
Labor and Employment
Prostitution
Recruiting of employees
Refugees
Slavery
Treaties
United Nations
United Nations finances

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
States that: (1) it shall be U.S. policy that the President and the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations work with the international community to increase political and financial support for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to prevent and resolve problems related to de jure and de facto statelessness and to promote the rights of de jure or de facto stateless persons; (2) the President shall make prevention and reduction of de jure or de facto statelessness an important goal of U.S. foreign policy and human rights efforts; and (3) it shall be U.S. policy to comply with the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
 
Directs the Secretary of State to increase staff and resources in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to work toward the prevention and resolution of de jure and de facto statelessness and the protection of de jure or de facto stateless persons.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6522
Sponsor: Rep. Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agriculture in foreign trade
Animal diseases
Animals
Argentina
Cattle
Congress
Congressional oversight
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Health
Import restrictions
Latin America
Livestock
Meat
Swine

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit the importation into the United States of any ruminant or swine, or any fresh (including chilled or frozen) meat or product of any ruminant or swine, that is born, raised, or slaughtered in Argentina until the Secretary certifies to Congress that every region of Argentina is free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-10-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6678)
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
Oil for Americans Act

Bill: 110-hr-6523
Sponsor: Rep. Kagen, Steve [D-WI-8]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alaska
Oil and gas
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
Oil for Americans Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal authority for the export of Alaskan crude oil.
 
Makes effective the ban on the export of Alaskan crude oil of the Export Administration Act of 1979.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
American History and Civics Achievement Act

Bill: 110-hr-6525
Sponsor: Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance
Authorization
Civics education
Department of Education
Economics and Public Finance
Educational accountability
Educational tests
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to education
Government Operations and Politics
History
Secondary education

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
American History and Civics Achievement Act - Amends the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act to direct the Commissioner for Education Statistics to give a priority to conducting national assessments of student achievement in history at least once every four years in grades 4, 8, and 12.
 
Requires the Commissioner to conduct, in at least ten geographically diverse states, trial state academic assessments of student achievement in: (1) U.S. history in grades 8 and 12; and (2) civics in grades 8 and 12.
 
Directs the National Assessment of Educational Progress governing board to select the participating states.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
8/29 Investigation Team Act

Bill: 110-hr-6526
Sponsor: Rep. Melancon, Charlie [D-LA-3]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Coastal engineering
Coastal zone
Congress
Disaster relief
Federal advisory bodies
Flood control
Floods
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Hurricanes
Law
Legislation
Louisiana
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
8/29 Investigation Team Act - Establishes a bipartisan 8/29 Investigation Team to examine: (1) the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and (2) each flood control and restoration project that has been carried out since that date in the Gulf Coast.
 
Prohibits any elected federal official from serving as a Team member. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding member qualifications.

Urges the Team to: (1) review findings and recommendations of all studies conducted in the aftermath of the levee failures in Louisiana on or after August 29, 2005; (2) review the ongoing U.S. exposure to flood control system failures; and (3) report on necessary legislative or regulatory changes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2008-07-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
Emergency Solar Power Permit Act

Bill: 110-hr-6527
Sponsor: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-46]
Introduced: 2008-07-16 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Energy
Energy development
Energy facilities
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Solar energy

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: 
 Emergency Solar Power Permit Act - Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to exempt any action relating to the development, deployment, or operation of a solar energy project on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from environmental impact statement (EIS) requirements.

Requires each federal agency, for any such action relating to a solar energy project, to cease the preparation of an EIS to the extent that its preparation would delay or otherwise interfere with the action.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Introduced in House
Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act

Bill: 110-hr-6528
Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-14]
Introduced: 2008-07-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-17
text: 
Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan from imposing an aggregate lifetime benefit limit of less than: (1) $5 million for the first two plan years; (2) $10 million for the third and fourth plan years; and (3) adjusted amounts based on the consumer price index for subsequent plan years. Excludes from such prohibition a group health plan offered to employees of a small employer, except upon request of the employer for a consistent limit.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the Institute of Medicine for a study to determine the number of individuals who have reached the lifetime limitations set forth in this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-07-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-17
text: Introduced in House