hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
United States Broadcasting Reorganization Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7070
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Broadcasting Board of Governors
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Executive reorganization
Freedom of speech
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
International broadcasting
Ombudsman
Radio broadcasting
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
United States Broadcasting Reorganization Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to establish the United States International Broadcasting Agency, which shall be headed by the Board of Governors of the United States International Broadcasting Agency, to carry out various international broadcasting activities of the United States (thereby eliminating the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International Broadcasting Bureau).
 
Sets forth: (1) Agency authorities and functions; and (2) transition provisions.
 
Directs the Board to establish an Office of the Ombudsman to be a liaison between both the audience and employees and employees and management of the broadcasting entities under Board control.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Federal Agency Program Realignment and Closure Act

Bill: 110-hr-7071
Sponsor: Rep. Sullivan, John [R-OK-1]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Budget deficits
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Expedited congressional procedure
Federal employees
Government downsizing
Government spending reductions
House rules and procedure
Legislation
Performance measurement
Presidential appointments
Presidential commissions
Senate rules and procedure
Transfer of employees
Waste in government spending

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Federal Agency Program Realignment and Closure Act - Establishes the Federal Agency Program Realignment and Closure Commission to: (1) evaluate each executive agency and its programs; and (2) submit to the President and Congress a list of the agencies and programs it recommends eliminating or realigning.

Requires the Commission to recommend that an agency or program be: (1) realigned where a function performed by two or more agencies or programs can be consolidated; (2) eliminated if it performs a function that is also provided by a state or that would be more efficient if performed at the state level; or (3) eliminated if it performs a function that can be more efficently performed by a private entity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2076)
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
To make technical corrections in the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008.

Bill: 110-hr-7072
Sponsor: Rep. McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Debtor and creditor
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Government lending
Higher education
Loan defaults
Student loan funds

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical corrections to the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. 
 
Clarifies the Secretary of Education's authority to purchase, or enter into and fund forward commitments to purchase, until July 2010, Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) from lenders when there is an inadequate availability of loan capital to meet the demand for such loans. Includes, within such purchase authority, FFELs that qualify for loan rehabilitation under the Default Reduction program.
 
Conditions the Secretary's purchase or forward commitment to purchase FFELs on lender agreement to originate or purchase new FFELs. (Currently, they are required to use the funds from such purchases to engage in such activities.)
 
Requires the Secretary to contract with the current servicers of FFELs the Secretary is purchasing for the continued servicing of such loans, provided certain conditions are met. (Currently, the Secretary is authorized to enter into servicing agreements with willing lenders whose loans are being purchased.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act

Bill: 110-hr-7073
Sponsor: Rep. Dicks, Norman D. [D-WA-6]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain federal and non-federal land to the Hoh Indian Tribe, to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe. Prohibits on such land: (1) the placement of commercial, residential, or industrial buildings; (2) logging and hunting activities; or (3) gaming.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Home Office Tax Deduction Simplification and Improvement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7074
Sponsor: Rep. Gonzalez, Charles A. [D-TX-20]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Depreciation and amortization
Finance and Financial Sector
Home offices
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Interest
Labor and Employment
Mortgages
Property tax
Self-employed
Tax deductions
Tax returns

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Home Office Tax Deduction Simplification and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business to elect a standard tax deduction equal to the product of a standard rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury and the square footage of the portion of a residence used to conduct a trade or business (home office tax deduction). Modifies the rules for the home office tax deduction to: (1) allow a deduction for the cost of dealing with patients, clients, or customers even if they are not physically present in the home office; and (2) establish a de minimis exemption for personal use of a home office.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that all self-employment tax forms and schedules separately state amounts attributable to real estate taxes, mortgage interest, and depreciation for purposes of the home office tax deduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Emergency Fueling Station Designation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7075
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Alabama
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
Natural disasters
North Carolina
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Emergency Fueling Station Designation Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to address the shortage of fuel along hurricane evacuation routes by providing funds to eligible states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia) to assist in the purchase and installation of transfer switches and generators at designated emergency fueling stations.

Requires states applying for funds to provide: (1) identification of hurricane zones and evacuation routes; (2) the estimated number of designated and adjacent emergency fueling stations determined to be necessary by such state using population figures along hurricane evacuation routes as a guide in selecting stations; and (3) specified assurances, including that a fueling station will not be selected as a designated emergency fueling station unless it has not less than 10 fueling positions and is located within one mile of a hurricane evacuation route.

Directs the Administrator to make available to an eligible state that applies for funds 50% of the cost for the purchase and installation of transfer switches and generators for designated emergency fueling stations, and 30% of that cost of adjacent emergency fueling stations, selected by the state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Alcohol Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7076
Sponsor: Rep. Space, Zachary T. [D-OH-18]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Contracts and agency
Food industry and services
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Alcohol Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2008 - Authorizes the resolution of alcohol beverage franchise disputes through arbitration if an alcoholic beverage franchise contract provides for it, but only if, after a dispute arises, all parties to the dispute consent to use of arbitration.
 
Defines &quot;alcoholic beverage franchise contract&quot; as one under which an alcoholic beverage manufacturer, importer, or distributor sells alcoholic beverages to any other person for resale to an ultimate purchaser.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
QI Program Supplemental Funding Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7077
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-15]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Antibiotics
Appropriations
Commerce
Computer matching
Conferences
Drug approvals
Drug industry
Economics and Public Finance
Employee training
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government trust funds
Health information systems
Labor and Employment
Local employees
Local officials
Marketing
Medicaid
Medicare
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
State employees
State officials
Transportation and Public Works
Travel costs
Welfare eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
QI Program Supplemental Funding Act of 2008 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to provide supplemental funding for the qualifying individual (QI) program.
 
Requires a state to have in operation, in mechanized Medicaid claims processing and information retrieval systems, an eligibility determination system which provides for data matching through the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) facilitated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, including matching with medical assistance programs operated by other states.
 
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make sponsors of certain antibiotic drugs eligible for a three-year or a five-year market exclusivity if a marketing application is submitted for an antibiotic drug that: (1) was approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services before November 21, 1997; or (2) was the subject of one or more applications received by the Secretary before November 21, 1997, none of which was approved. 
 
Authorizes the use of Medicaid integrity program funds for transportation and travel expenses for attendees at education, training, or consultative activities.
 
Increases FY2014 funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-09-25
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: 2008-09-25
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: 2008-09-25
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: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7078
Sponsor: Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Environmental health
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Medical education
Medical research
Mental health
Minority health
Research administration and funding
Student aid and college costs
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to award grants for the conduct or support of research on environmental triggers that can cause the initiation of autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed individuals.
 
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to eligible entities to conduct public and professional awareness activities regarding autoimmune diseases. Allows grantees to use grant funds to: (1) promote increased awareness of early intervention and treatment to significantly improve the quality of life for people with autoimmune diseases; (2) target minority communities that may be underserved or disproportionately affected by such diseases; and (3) target women to help reduce the amount of time taken for correct diagnosis of such diseases.
 
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to: (1) award grants to eligible entities for the education of health care providers on potential links between autoimmune diseases and cognitive and mood disorders, such as depression; and (2) establish an educational loan repayment program for physicians agreeing to conduct research on autoimmune diseases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Patient Advocate Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7079
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Clinical trials
Conflict of interests
Continuum of care
Debt
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Health insurance
Labor and Employment
Law
Legal fees
Medical ethics
Medical tests
Minorities
Minority health
Ombudsman
Patient satisfaction
Patients' rights
Preventive medicine
Social Welfare
Social work

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Patient Advocate Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary may make grants for the development and operation of programs to provide services for patients to resolve health insurance, job retention, and debt crisis matters related to the patients' diagnosis and illness. Includes as services to be provided by grant recipients: (1) acting as contacts for individuals who are seeking prevention or early detection services or treatment for an adverse health condition; (2) facilitating the involvement of community organizations in assisting individuals to receive better access to high-quality health care services; (3) notifying individuals of clinical trials and facilitating enrollment of individuals in trials; (4) anticipating, identifying, and helping individuals to overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment; (5) coordinating with the relevant health insurance ombudsman programs to provide information to individuals about health coverage; and (6) conducting ongoing outreach to health disparity populations in addition to assisting other individuals to seek preventive care.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) require grantees to prohibit any patient health advocate providing services under the grant from accepting any referral fee, kickback, or other thing of value in return for referring an individual to a particular health care provider; and (2) prohibit the use of any grant funds to pay any fees or costs resulting from any proceeding to resolve a legal dispute.

Sets forth provisions prohibiting discrimination in any program or activities funded or otherwise financially assisted under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2044)
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
America's Right-to- Eat Rescue Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7085
Sponsor: Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Alaska
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Food stamps
Poverty
School lunch program
Social Welfare
Welfare eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
America's Right-to-Eat Rescue Act of 2008 - Applies, for a specified six-month period, the poverty line used in making eligibility determinations under the Food Stamp and School Lunch programs in Alaska to the same eligibility determinations in all states and the District of Columbia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Small Business Act to establish a mentorship program designed to help minority and women-owned small businesses build their capacities and access to contracting opportunities in the construction industry.

Bill: 110-hr-7087
Sponsor: Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-11]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Building construction
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Small business
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program of grants to state and local governments to assist eligible small businesses to build their capacities and access to contracting opportunities in the construction industry.
 
Makes eligible for such assistance those small businesses owned and controlled by: (1) women; and (2) socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House