hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5981
Sponsor: Rep. Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9]
Introduced: 2008-05-06 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Authorization
Correctional personnel
Criminal investigation
Criminal justice information
DNA
Department of Justice
Economics and Public Finance
Employee training
Federal aid to law enforcement
Federal aid to research
Forensic medicine
Forensic scientists
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Judicial officers
Labor and Employment
Laboratories
Law
Medical tests
Missing persons
Police training
Prisoners
Rape
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-06
text: 
DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states and local governments to purchase or improve forensic DNA technology. 

Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require grants under the DNA identification program to pay the salaries of employees of DNA criminal laboratories; (2) require grant applications under such program to provide assurances that states and local governments will implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from convicted felons in their prisons; (3) increase and extend through FY2014 the authorization of appropriations for the DNA identification program; and (4) require the Attorney General to give priority to grant applications that will use funds for crime laboratories with demonstrated training and personnel needs.

Amends the Justice For All Act of 2004 to extend through FY2014 grants for: (1) DNA training and education for law enforcement and correctional personnel, forensic science professionals, and court officers; (2) sexual assault DNA identification; (3) research and development for DNA forensic technology; (4) the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grant Program; and (5) DNA identification of missing persons and unidentified human remains.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-05-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-05-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-06
text: Introduced in House
Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5984
Sponsor: Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative energy sources
Biomass energy
Bonds
Capital gains tax
Coal
Electric appliances
Electric power production
Electric power transmission
Electric utilities
Energy
Energy efficiency
Environmental Protection
Finance and Financial Sector
Fuel cells
Geothermal resources
Housing and Community Development
Hydroelectric power
Incineration
Income tax
Investment tax credit
Irrigation
Landfills
Methane
Minimum tax
Refuse as fuel
Solar energy
Standards
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax deferral
Water Resources Development
Wind power

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend certain tax incentives for energy production and conservation. 

Extends through 2009 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., biomass, geothermal energy, landfill gas, and trash combustion). Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource eligible for such credit. Allows sales of electricity produced from renewable resources to regulated public utilities. 

Extends through 2016 the energy investment tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property. Repeals the dollar per kilowatt limitation for fuel cell property under the energy investment tax credit. Allows public electric utilities to qualify for such credit. 

Extends through 2009 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Repeals the $2,000 limitation on the tax credit for solar electric property. Allows an offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) of tax credit amounts. 

Extends through 2009 the tax credit for investment in clean renewable energy bonds. Increases the national limitation amount for such bonds.

Extends through 2009 deferral provisions relating to the recognition of gain by certain electric utilities. 

Extends through 2009 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. Includes residential biomass fuel stoves (pellet stoves) as eligible energy property for purposes of such credit.

Extends through 2010 the tax credit for energy efficient new homes. 

Extends through 2009 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings and increases the allowable amount of such deduction.

Extends the tax credit for energy efficient appliances to include appliances produced in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Revises and updates energy efficiency standards for such appliances in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
Compensation for Combat Veterans Act

Bill: 110-hr-5985
Sponsor: Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disabled
Military operations
Military pay
Veterans' disability compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Compensation for Combat Veterans Act - Provides that, for a veteran claiming disability benefits related to combat, service in a combat zone that is recognized as such service under the Internal Revenue Code shall be considered proof that the veteran engaged in combat.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2008-05-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
Diesel Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5986
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alcohol as fuel
Diesel motor
Excise tax
Gasoline
Income tax
Tax credits
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Diesel Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the excise tax on diesel fuel, the excise tax credit for ethanol, and the income tax credit for alcohol used as fuel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 37, United States Code, to guarantee a pay increase for members of the uniformed services for fiscal years 2010 through 2013 of one-half of one percentage point higher than the Employment Cost Index.

Bill: 110-hr-5987
Sponsor: Rep. Drake, Thelma D. [R-VA-2]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cost of living adjustments
Military pay
Military personnel

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Guarantees a pay increase for uniformed services members for FY2010-FY2013 of 0.5% higher than the Employment Cost Index.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
Fair and Justifiable Credit Card Interest Rate Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5988
Sponsor: Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Commerce
Consumer credit
Consumer protection
Credit cards
Interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Fair and Justifiable Credit Card Interest Rate Act of 2008 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the annual percentage rate applicable to any extension of credit on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan from exceeding 20%. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
National Neurotechnology Initiative Act

Bill: 110-hr-5989
Sponsor: Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Artificial intelligence
Biomedical engineering
Brain
Brain diseases
Commerce
Commercialization
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug approvals
Economic impact statements
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to research
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Medical ethics
Medical research
Medical technology
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Nervous system diseases
Neurology
Pharmaceutical research
Psychiatry
Research centers
Research ethics
Science, Technology, Communications
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines &quot;neurotechnology&quot; to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.

Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.

Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop the Blueprint for Neuroscience Research to: (1) identify pervasive challenges in neuroscience and any technological barriers to solving such challenges; and (2) support the development of new tools, training opportunities, and other resources to assist neuroscientists in basic and clinical research. 

Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to require the Directors of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health to improve the timelines of the review process for neurology and psychiatry.

Requires the Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office to establish the American Neurotechnology Study Center.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act

Bill: 110-hr-5990
Sponsor: Rep. Matheson, Jim [D-UT-2]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Child welfare
Computer software
Consumer protection
Families
Federal Trade Commission
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Labeling
Law
Lease and rental services
Packaging
Pornography
Retail trade
Science, Technology, Communications
Signs and signboards
Video games
Violence

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not display a label containing an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).
 
Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system.
 
Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) &quot;adults only&quot; to any person under the age of 18; or (2) &quot;mature&quot; to any person under the age of 17.
 
Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
Tax Relief for Transportation Workers Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5991
Sponsor: Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-14]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Identification devices
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax refunds
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation workers

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
Tax Relief for Transportation Workers Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) individuals a refundable tax credit for the qualified expenses incurred in obtaining a transportation worker identification credential; and (2) employers a deduction equal to 40% of the aggregate qualified expenses paid or incurred in obtaining such credentials on behalf of their employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E842)
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
First Time Property Owners Tax Credit Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5992
Sponsor: Rep. Shuler, Heath [D-NC-11]
Introduced: 2008-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Cost of living adjustments
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Housing finance
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Land transfers
Real property
Tax credits
Tax refunds

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: 
First Time Property Owners Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based, one-time refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers of 5% of the purchase price of real property located in the United States, up to a maximum credit amount of $1,500 ($3,000 for joint returns). Makes such credit applicable to purchases of property on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2013, and to binding contracts made between such dates to purchase such property before July 1, 2014.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Introduced in House
Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5993
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2008-05-08 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Appropriations
Authorization
Congress
Congressional hearings
Congressional reporting requirements
Congressional witnesses
Congressional-executive relations
Constitutional law
Economics and Public Finance
Executive privilege
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Legislation
Presidential powers

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: 
Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2008 - Requires the President to transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary, and to the Senate Majority Leader each signing statement that declares or insinuates the President's intention to disregard provisions of any bill he has signed into law because he believes it is unconstitutional.
 
Requires the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, or White House Counsel to testify before such congressional committees at the behest of any single Member of either committee to explain the meaning and justification of every presidential signing statement covered by this Act.
 
 Prohibits executive privilege from being recognized as a valid basis for refusing to appear or refusing to answer a question pertinent to the legal reasoning behind a signing statement or its legal ramifications.
 
Bars authorization or expenditure of federal funds to implement any law accompanied by a presidential signing statement noncompliant with this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5994
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2008-05-08 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Antitrust law
Broadband
Commerce
Computer networks
Computer software
Consumer education
Fees
Internet
Restrictive trade practices
Telecommunication industry

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: 
Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any broadband network provider from: (1) failing to provide its services on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms; (2) refusing to interconnect its facilities with those of another service provider on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms; (3) blocking, impairing, discriminating against, or interfering with any person's ability to use a broadband network service to access or offer lawful content, applications, or services over the Internet (or imposing an additional charge to avoid such prohibited conduct); (4) prohibiting a user from attaching or using a device on the provider's network that does not physically damage or materially degrade other users' utilization of the network; or (5) failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose to users accurate information concerning service terms.
 
Requires a provider that prioritizes or offers enhanced quality of service to data of a particular type to prioritize or offer enhanced quality of service to all data of that type without imposing a surcharge or other consideration.
 
Permits a provider to take reasonable and nondiscriminatory measures to: (1) manage the functioning of its network and services; (2) give priority to emergency communications; (3) prevent a violation of federal or state law; (4) offer consumer protection services; (5) offer special promotional pricing or other marketing initiatives; or (6) prioritize or offer enhanced quality of service to all data of a particular type without imposing a surcharge or other consideration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E859)
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
Gas Tax Relief and Earmark Moratorium Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5995
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Paul [R-WI-1]
Introduced: 2008-05-08 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Appropriations
Congress
Congressional joint committees
Congressional reorganization
Congressional reporting requirements
Diesel motor
Economics and Public Finance
Excise tax
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Gasoline
Government spending reductions
Government trust funds
Highway finance
House rules and procedure
Senate rules and procedure
Tariff
Tax exemption
Tax expenditures
Taxation
Transportation and Public Works
Waste in government spending

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: 
Gas Tax Relief and Earmark Moratorium Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Reimburses the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in revenues resulting from such suspension.

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer amounts from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund if the Secretary determines that the amount in such Fund is insufficient to meet anticipated payments for FY2009. 

Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform to study and report on the practices of Congress and the executive branch regarding earmarks in appropriations, tax, and tariff measures.

Declares it not in order in the 110th Congress to consider legislation containing a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit.

Requires a reduction in the allocation of new budget authority and outlays for FY2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
Student Enhancement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5996
Sponsor: Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11]
Introduced: 2008-05-08 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Compensatory education
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Income tax
Secondary education
Tax deductions
Teaching materials
Textbooks

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: 
Student Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction, up to $10,000 per year, for supplemental education expenses. Defines &quot;supplemental education expenses&quot; as expenses not required for the a student's enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school that are for academic tutoring designed to supplement or enhance the student's education and related books, supplies, and equipment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-08
text: Introduced in House