hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building".

Bill: 110-hr-5506
Sponsor: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-13]
Introduced: 2008-02-27 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Clergy
Congressional tributes
Government Operations and Politics
Names
New Jersey
Postal facilities
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-21
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
action_date: 2008-07-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6417)
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6417)
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5506.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6417-6418)
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Daniel Wachira.

Bill: 110-hr-5508
Sponsor: Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]
Introduced: 2008-02-27 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Provides for the relief of Daniel Wachira.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Introduced in House
Social Security Fairness for the Terminally Ill Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5510
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Charles A. [D-OH-6]
Introduced: 2008-02-28 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Health
Old age, survivors and disability insurance
Terminally ill

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: 
Social Security Fairness for the Terminally Ill Act of 2008 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance benefits for terminally ill individuals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5513
Sponsor: Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7]
Introduced: 2008-02-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Commerce
Community service (Punishment)
Crime and Law Enforcement
Drug abuse
Drug abuse prevention
Drug abuse treatment
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Fines (Penalties)
Grants-in-aid
Housing and Community Development
Law
Parent and child
Regional economic development
Retail trade
Smoking and youth
State laws
Tobacco
Tobacco settlement

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: 
Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth conditions for the receipt by states of federal substance abuse prevention and treatment grants. 

Requires such states to: (1) prohibit a minor from purchasing or receiving a tobacco product or possessing a tobacco product in a public place; and (2) require law enforcement agencies to notify a minor's parent, custodian, or guardian whose name and address is reasonably ascertainable of any such violation. 

Requires such states to require any person engaged in the business of distributing tobacco products at retail to implement a program to: (1) notify its employees that state law prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors and the purchase, receipt, or possession in a public place of a tobacco product by a minor; and (2) ensure compliance with such law. Directs such states to provide for a civil monetary penalty or community service for violations.

Requires such states to have established goals for reducing the rate of retailer violations. Allows states to use minors to test compliance under certain conditions. 

Directs such states to certify expenditure of more than 10% of the funds paid to the state as part of the comprehensive settlement of November 1998 against tobacco manufacturers on health programs, tobacco control and cessation activities, or economic development for tobacco regions.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide assistance to states in developing, enacting, and implementing such laws and in setting goals, including by developing model legislative language.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
Pornography Jurisdiction Limitation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5514
Sponsor: Rep. Cannon, Chris [R-UT-3]
Introduced: 2008-02-28 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Constitutional law
Crime and Law Enforcement
Freedom of speech
Government Operations and Politics
Jurisdiction
Pornography
State courts
State laws
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: 
The Pornography Jurisdiction Limitation Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to provide that no court created by Act of Congress shall have jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction, to hear or decide a question of whether a state pornography law imposes a constitutionally invalid restriction on the freedom of expression. Provides that a decision of a federal court, to the extent the decision relates to such a question, is not binding precedent on a state court.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5516
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Patrick J. [D-PA-8]
Introduced: 2008-02-28 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Death
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Families
Federal aid to education
Fire fighters
Health
Higher education
Law enforcement officers
Paramedical personnel
Parents
Police
Scholarships

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: 
Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Educaton Act of 1965 to eliminate the expected family contribution used in determining Pell Grant eligibility in the case of a student applicant whose parent or guardian died as a result of performing service as a police officer, firefighter, or other first responder.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
Unsafe Meat and Poultry Recall Act

Bill: 110-hr-5518
Sponsor: Rep. Udall, Tom [D-NM-3]
Introduced: 2008-02-28 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Consumer education
Consumer protection
Defective products
Food safety
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Labeling
Meat
Poultry

Summary:
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: 
Unsafe Meat and Poultry Recall Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to: (1) direct a person (other than a household consumer or other exempted person) who believes a meat or poultry product that such person handled is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) direct the Secretary, upon a determination of a public health risk from such adulteration or misbranding, to permit the person to voluntarily provide handler notification, cease distribution, recall such product, and provide consumer notice; and (3) authorize the Secretary, in the case of noncompliance, to require that the person take such actions (other than consumer notice which shall be provided by the Secretary). 
 
Defines &quot;person.&quot; 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E272-273)
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-02-28
text: Introduced in House
Credit Union Regulatory Relief Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5519
Sponsor: Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [D-PA-11]
Introduced: 2008-03-03 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Bank capital
Bank loans
Bank mergers
Churches
Commerce
Credit unions
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Investments
Law
National Credit Union Administration
Nonprofit organizations
Religion
Securities
Small business
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: 
Credit Union Regulatory Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) permit a credit union to invest in securities for its own account, subject to certain percentage limitations; and (2) increase the investment and lending limit in credit union service organizations from 1% to 3% of a credit union's total paid and unimpaired capital and surplus.
 
Excludes credit union loans to nonprofit religious organizations from limitations placed upon member business loans.
 
Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board (Board) to establish longer loan maturity dates.

Directs the Board to prescribe criteria for continued membership of certain member groups in the case of certain credit union conversions to a community charter.
 
Revises requirements for credit union membership in certain underserved areas.
 
Empowers a federal credit union to provide short-term loans as an alternative to payday loans.
 
Authorizes a credit union board of directors to expel a member based on just cause, including disruption of credit union operations (as well as nonparticipation, as under current law).
 
Excludes from the meaning of member business loan subject to certain limitations (thus permitting without such limitations) any extension of credit to a member, meeting specified criteria, whose proceeds are to be used for commercial, corporate, business, farm or agricultural purposes in an underserved area.
 
Amends the Clayton Act to exempt from its premerger notification and waiting period requirements any mergers of one insured credit union activities with another which require agency approval under the Federal Credit Union Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Introduced in House
To extend the temporary suspension of duty on ceiling fans for permanent installation.

Bill: 110-hr-5520
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2008-03-03 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on ceiling fans for permanent installation.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin to convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe.

Bill: 110-hr-5521
Sponsor: Rep. Kagen, Steve [D-WI-8]
Introduced: 2008-03-03 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands
Land transfers
Leases
Minorities
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Wisconsin

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: 
Authorizes the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin (Tribe) to transfer, lease, encumber, or otherwise convey the Tribe's interest in any real property that is not held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-03
text: Introduced in House
Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5523
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2008-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative fees
Aliens
Economics and Public Finance
Excise tax
Gambling
Immigration
Income tax
Internet
Law
Licenses
Science, Technology, Communications
Sports and Recreation
Tax returns
Withholding tax

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: 
Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an Internet gambling license fee on Internet gambling operators; (2) require such operators to file informational returns identifying themselves and the individuals placing wagers with them; (3) require withholding of tax on annual Internet gambling winnings of more than $5,000; (4) impose a 30% tax on the Internet gambling winnings of nonresident aliens; and (5) impose the excise tax on wagers on any individual who places a wager with an unlicensed Internet gambling operator. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Inclusion of Veteran Service Organizations in the National Veterans Business Development Corporation Board Act

Bill: 110-hr-5525
Sponsor: Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51]
Introduced: 2008-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Commerce
Corporation directors
Entrepreneurs
Government Operations and Politics
Government corporations
Government paperwork
Labor and Employment
Military service clubs
Public meetings
Removal of officials
Small business
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' employment
Veterans' organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: 
Inclusion of Veteran Service Organizations in the National Veterans Business Development Corporation Board Act - Amends Small Business Act provisions establishing a National Veterans Business Development Corporation (Corporation) to: (1) increase from 9 to 11 the number of Corporation voting members; (2) require the chairmen of the congressional small business and veterans' committees to appoint 4 of the 11 voting members, who shall be representatives of a congressionally chartered veterans' service organization or military service organization; (3) prohibit any member of the Corporation's Board of Directors from serving after the expiration of their term; (4) provide for the removal of Board members; (5) require all Board meetings to be public; and (6) require notification to Corporation stakeholders of Board meetings and agendas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Task Force on Medical Facility Improvements in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-5526
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Fortuno, Luis G. [R-PR-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Caribbean area
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Puerto Rico
Veterans' hospitals

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Task Force on Medical Facility Improvements in Puerto Rico to: (1) consider options to renovate or replace the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in Puerto Rico; (2) recommend to the Secretary which of the options should be implemented; and (3) report to the Secretary on its findings and recommendations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Toxic Chemical Exposure Reduction Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5527
Sponsor: Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2008-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Cancer
Child health
Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental health
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Health warnings
Infants
Law
Liability for environmental damages
Potable water
Pregnant women
Water Resources Development
Water pollution control
Women
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: 
Toxic Chemical Exposure Reduction Act of 2008 or the TCE Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a health advisory, including cancer risks, for trichloroethylene that fully protects, with an adequate margin of safety, the health of susceptible populations (including pregnant women, infants, and children), taking into consideration body weight, exposure patterns, and all routes of exposure.

Requires the Administrator to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for trichloroethylene: (1) that is protective of susceptible populations; and (2) the maximum contaminant level of which is as close to the maximum contaminant level goal for trichloroethylene, and as protective of those susceptible populations, as is feasible. 

Requires consumer confidence reports to disclose the presence of, and the potential health and cancer risks to susceptible populations from exposure to, trichloroethylene in drinking water.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) publish a health advisory (including cancer risks) for trichloroethylene that fully protects the health of susceptible populations from vapor intrusion; (2) establish an integrated risk information system reference concentration of trichloroethylene vapor that is protective of susceptible populations; and (3) apply such reference concentration with respect to any potential vapor intrusion-related investigations or actions to protect public health with respect to trichloroethylene exposure carried out pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 and the Safe Drinking Water Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5529
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2008-03-04 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Air pollution control
Alternative energy sources
Biomass energy
Carbon dioxide
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Curricula
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Employee training
Energy
Energy demand
Energy efficiency
Energy research
Environmental Protection
Environmental technology
Fluorocarbons
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Geothermal resources
Higher education
Hydroelectric power
International agencies
International cooperation
Labor and Employment
Methane
Nitrogen oxides
Ocean energy resources
Science, Technology, Communications
Solar energy
Standards
Technology transfer
United Nations
Wind power

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: 
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Act of 2008 - Requires the President: (1) acting through the Secretary of State and in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to seek to establish an International Renewable Energy Agency; and (2) to direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice and vote of the United States to seek to establish such an agency.

Provides that such agency should: (1) support governments in establishing policies and programs that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency measures; (2) assist in conducting country studies of the potential of renewable energy; (3) provide a global status report for renewable energy; (4) provide long-term projections and scenarios to identify market potential, barriers to deployment, and failures in markets and policies, as well as plan for future demand for renewable energy; (5) organize training programs, information campaigns, and courses relating to renewable energy for civil servants, scientists, businesses, and nongovernment organizations; (6) assist in developing and supplying curricula relating to renewable energy for schools and universities; (7) cooperate with financing institutions to develop and support innovative financing mechanisms to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency measures; (8) facilitate the transfer of knowledge and best practices gained from successful renewable energy programs; (9) develop common, nondiscriminatory international norms and quality standards including certification relating to renewable energy; and (10) draft and disseminate statistics, technology information, reports on project implementation, and progress of legislation and policy programs relating to renewable energy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E296)
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-04
text: Introduced in House