hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Preparing America's Seniors for the Digital Television Transition of [sic] Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2125
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2007-10-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advertising
Cable television
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crimes against the elderly
Electronics industry
Federal advisory bodies
Fines (Penalties)
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Law
Retail trade
Social Welfare
Television broadcasting
Television programs
Television stations

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: 
Preparing America's Seniors for the Digital Television Transition of [
sic
] Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), commencing not later than January 1, 2008, or 60 days after enactment, to enter into a partnership with the Administration on Aging and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to create a comprehensive nationwide public education campaign that provides information and assistance to older individuals to ensure that such individuals receive uninterrupted television service during the transition from analog to digital television that is to occur on February 17, 2009, and to mitigate the likelihood of success of fraudulent schemes relating to such transition that may target such older individuals. Provides for an advisory board which shall include representatives from minorities, the disabled, non-native English speakers, tribal groups, and other vulnerable populations.

Sets forth: (1) public notification (and labeling and advertising, as appropriate) requirements for full power commercial television broadcast licensees, noncommercial broadcasters, multichannel video programming distributors, electronic retailers, and manufacturers; and (2) penalties for noncompliance.

Provides for grants for provide public education outreach and installation assistance to older individuals and other vulnerable populations.

Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to revise the program specifications of the digital-to-analog converter box program, including requiring a standard application to receive a coupon.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S12435-12439)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12435)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Generate Retirement Ownership Through Long-Term Holding Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2126
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2007-10-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Dividends
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Mutual funds
Saving and investment
Tax deferral
Tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Generate Retirement Ownership Through Long-Term Holding Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that no gain shall be recognized on the receipt of a capital gain dividend distributed by a regulated investment company if such dividend is automatically reinvested in additional shares of the company pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S12440)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12439-12440)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Mine Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2127
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2007-10-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Coal
Commerce
Counseling
Damages
Energy
Families
Family services
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Law
Legal ethics
Liability (Law)
Mental health services
Mine safety
Miners
Nonprofit organizations
Social Welfare
Torts

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: 
Mine Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the MINER Act to require the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, as soon as practicable after being notified of a mining accident involving a mine operator and resulting in a mine emergency response by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), to: (1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a director of a family support service as a point of contact within the federal government for the families of miners involved and as a liaison between the operator and the families; and (2) designate an independent nonprofit organization with primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care and support of the miners' families.

Sets forth responsibilities of the MSHA and the designated organization in such an accident.

Prohibits: (1) impeding the ability of MSHA or the designated organization to carry out their responsibilities or the ability of families to have contact with one another; (2) unsolicited communications by attorneys or parties to litigation to injured individuals or their families concerning a potential action for personal injury or wrongful death before the 45th day following the accident date; and (3) preventing a designated organization from providing mental health and counseling services.

Directs operators that are subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to submit to the Secretary of Labor a plan for addressing the needs of the families of miners involved in such accidents. Shields an operator from liability for damages (except for gross negligence or intentional misconduct) in any action brought in a federal or state court arising out of the operator's performance in preparing or providing a miner list pursuant to such plan.

Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop guidelines and recommendations about responding to mining accidents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12441)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2128
Sponsor: Sen. Sununu, John E. [R-NH]
Introduced: 2007-10-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Electronic commerce
Electronic mail systems
Excise tax
Federal preemption
Government Operations and Politics
Intergovernmental tax relations
Internet
Local laws
Local taxation
Sales tax
Science, Technology, Communications
State laws
State taxation
Tax administration
Tax exemption

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: 
Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to make permanent the ban on state and local taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 401.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Hydrogen Tax Incentives Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2129
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2007-10-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative energy sources
Energy
Energy facilities
Hydrogen
Income tax
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: 
Hydrogen Tax Incentives Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit through December 31, 2010, for hydrogen installation and infrastructure costs and hydrogen fuel costs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to express the sense of the Senate on the need for a comprehensive diplomatic offensive to help broker national reconciliation efforts in Iraq and lay the foundation for the eventual redeployment of United States combat forces.

Bill: 110-s-2130
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2007-10-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Civil War
Conferences
Debt relief
Diplomacy
Diplomats
Economic assistance
Embassies
Explosives
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Immigration
International relief
Iraq
Iraq compilation
Middle East and North Africa
Military intervention
Military occupation
Military operations
Negotiations
President and foreign policy
Refugees
Regionalism (International organization)
Sovereignty
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: 
Expresses the sense of the Senate on the need for a comprehensive diplomatic offensive to help broker national reconciliation efforts in Iraq and lay the foundation for the eventual redeployment of U.S. combat forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Highway 49 South in Piney Woods, Mississippi, as the "Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones Post Office Building".

Bill: 110-s-2131
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2007-10-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Government Operations and Politics
Minorities
Minority education
Mississippi
Names
Postal facilities
School administration
Secondary education
Teachers

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Highway 49 South in Piney Woods, Mississippi, as the "Lawrence C. and Grace M. Jones Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-12-04
text: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14748)
action_date: 2007-10-19
text: Ordered placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 433.
action_date: 2007-10-19
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2007-10-19
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of children's products that contain lead, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-2132
Sponsor: Sen. Obama, Barack [D-IL]
Introduced: 2007-10-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Child safety
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Electronics
Environmental Protection
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Law
Lead
Science, Technology, Communications
Standards
Toys

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: 
Bans as a hazardous substance within the meaning of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act any children's product containing more than the specified amounts of lead. Defines the term &quot;children's product&quot; to mean any consumer product marketed for use by children under age six, or whose substantial use by children under age six is foreseeable. 

Sets forth standards for the amount of lead that may be in such products over time. Authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to revise the standards to any lower amount of lead that CPSC determines is feasible to achieve. Requires CPSC to review and revise the standards to require the lowest amount of lead that is feasible to achieve five years after this Act's enactment.

Requires children's products that are electronic devices to be equipped with a child-resistant cover or casing that limits exposure of and accessibility to the parts of the product containing lead if the CPSC determines it is not feasible for such products to attain lead standards. Requires such an alternative standard to be considered to be a consumer product safety rule under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Authorizes CPSC to establish a schedule by which such electronic devices shall be in full compliance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Star Print ordered on on the bill.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Introduced in Senate
HOMES Act

Bill: 110-s-2133
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]
Introduced: 2007-10-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy courts
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Counseling
Debtor and creditor
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreclosure
Law
Mortgage interest rates
Mortgages
Real estate appraisal
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: 
Home Owners' Mortgage and Equity Savings Act, or the HOMES Act - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing mortgage loans to authorize modification of a mortgage agreed to in writing by a debtor meeting specified requirements and the holder of a claim secured by an interest in real property initiated before September 26, 2007, that is the debtor's principal residence. 
 
Allows the principal amount of such a mortgage loan to be lowered to the fair market value, if less than such amount, of the real property securing the loan at the time of the submission of the debtor's plan for the payment of debts. Permits waiver of otherwise applicable early repayment or prepayment penalties. Permits, also, prohibition of, delay in, or voiding of any adjustments to the rate of interest in the case of an adjustable rate mortgage.
 
Permits the bankruptcy court, in the case of a chapter 13 debtor (individual with regular income), to consider certain interest, late fees, or other fees to be a voidable transfer if the court finds there was a substantial failure to disclose material terms regarding such interest or fees related to a mortgage claim.
 
Authorizes delay of the prerequisite that debtor obtain counseling from an approved credit counseling agency before filing the petition in bankruptcy, if the debtor submits to the court a certification that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence has initiated foreclosure on that residence.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the impact of allowing bankruptcy judges to restructure principal residence mortgages on the secondary market for mortgages.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12763-12764)
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12533-12535)
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress reports on the status of planning for the redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq and to require the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and appropriate senior officials of the Department of Defense to meet with Congress to brief Congress on matters contained in the reports.

Bill: 110-s-2134
Sponsor: Sen. Salazar, Ken [D-CO]
Introduced: 2007-10-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congress and military policy
Congressional reporting requirements
International Affairs
Iraq
Iraq compilation
Middle East and North Africa
Military occupation
Military operations
Military strategy
Military withdrawal
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed as a recommendation by Congress that any particular contingency plan be exercised; (2) it is necessary and prudent for the Department of Defense (DOD) to undertake robust and comprehensive contingency planning; (3) contingency planning for a redeployment of Armed Forces from Iraq should address appropriate protection for U.S. Armed Forces, civilians, contractors, and third party and Iraqi nationals who have aided the U.S. mission in Iraq, and the preservation of military equipment; and (4) such planning should describe a range of scenarios and timetables for redeployment, and describe possible missions of Armed Forces remaining in Iraq.
 
Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense and appropriations committees on the status of planning for the redeployment of Armed Forces from Iraq. Requires the Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to brief such committees on matters contained in the reports.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Methamphetamine Kingpin Elimination Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2137
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2007-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Mandatory sentences
Methamphetamine
Organized crime
Prosecution

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 
Methamphetamine Kingpin Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to expand the threshold criteria for designating an individual as a principal administrator, organizer, or leader of a continuing criminal enterprise involving methamphetamine. Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the mandatory minimum prison terms for trafficking in methamphetamine. 

Requires the Attorney General to establish methamphetamine task forces, consisting of federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, to coordinate efforts to combat methamphetamine trafficking. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Reorganization Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2138
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2007-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive reorganization
Federal officials
Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 
Department of Veterans Affairs Reorganization Act of 2007 - Increases the number of Department of Veterans Affairs': (1) authorized Assistant Secretaries from seven to eight and revises specified functions; and (2) authorized Deputy Assistant Secretaries from 19 to 27.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
National Guard and Reserve Educational Benefits Fairness Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2139
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2007-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Armed forces reserves
Education
Higher education
Iraq compilation
Military operations
National Guard
Veterans' education

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 
National Guard and Reserve Educational Benefits Fairness Act of 2007 - Provides educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the National Guard and Reserve for extended service on continuous active duty that includes prolonged service in certain theaters of operation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Francis Collins, in recognition of his outstanding contributions and leadership in the fields of medicine and genetics.

Bill: 110-s-2140
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2007-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Congress
Congressional gold medals
Genetic research
Genetics
Health
Medical research
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientists

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 
Authorizes the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Francis Collins for his outstanding contributions in the fields of medicine and genetics. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2142
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2007-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Health
Health planning
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 
Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007 - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse certain veterans without a service-connected disability enrolled as active participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan for the cost of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility until such time as such veterans are transferred to a VA facility.

Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse certain veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability associated with or aggravating a service-connected disability for the value of emergency treatment for which such veterans have made payment from sources other than the VA.

action_date: 2008-02-25
text: 
Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2008 - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse certain veterans without a service-connected disability enrolled as active participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan for the cost of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility until such time as such veterans are transferred to a VA or other federal facility.
 
Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse certain veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability associated with or aggravating a service-connected disability for the customary and usual charges of emergency treatment for which such veterans have made payment from sources other than the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-02-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 579.
action_date: 2008-02-25
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka with amendments. With written report No. 110-263.
action_date: 2008-02-25
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka with amendments. With written report No. 110-263.
action_date: 2007-11-14
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-10-24
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 110-328.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate