hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize funding for emergency management performance grants to provide for domestic preparedness and collective response to catastrophic incidents, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-7088
Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Building construction
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government buildings, facilities, and property

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to establish an emergency management performance grants program to address domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident. 

Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population. 

Revises the program providing grants to states for emergency operations centers to provide that such centers are to be equipped, upgraded, and constructed for domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident.


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 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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
Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7089
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Corrections
Labor and Employment
Parole
Prison labor
Sentences (Criminal procedure)

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow reductions in the prison term of a federal prisoner whose record of conduct shows that such prisoner has substantially observed all prison regulations and has not been subjected to punishment.

Allows the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to grant a reduction in a prisoner's term for actual employment in an industry or camp or for exceptionally meritorious service or for performing duties of outstanding importance in connection with institutional operations.


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
Multilingual Services Accounting Act

Bill: 110-hr-7092
Sponsor: Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Congressional oversight
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Multilingual Services Accounting Act - Requires federal agency Chief Financial Officers to include multilingual services accounting information in their mandatory annual reports to the agency head and to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
 
Defines multilingual services to include: (1) services provided by interpreters hired by an agency; (2) services resulting in additional expenses which an agency provides to assist its employees or contractors to learn a non-English language; (3) agency preparation, translation, printing, or recordation of materials in a language other than English; and (4) services provided or performed for the federal government by agency employees or contractors that require speaking a non-English language that result in wage differentials or benefits provided by the agency.
 
Requires the OMB Director's annual financial management status report to certain congressional committees to contain a Multilingual Services Expenses Report that includes: (1) a summary and analysis of the multilingual services accounting information prepared by each agency Chief Financial Officer; and (2) a description of any changes to the existing financial management structure of the federal government needed to establish an integrated individual agency accounting of all multilingual services conducted by each agency.
 
Requires the OMB Director to issue guidance that an agency Chief Financial Officer must follow in compiling multilingual services accounting information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
To require the accreditation of English language training programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-7093
Sponsor: Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Accreditation (Education)
Admission of nonimmigrants
Aliens
Education
Elementary and secondary education
English language
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that a nonimmigrant foreign student seeking to enter the United States to study at a language training program enroll in a program recognized as accredited by the Secretary of Education.
 
Provides for a specified three-year exception to such requirement.


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
Government-Sponsored Enterprises Free Market Reform Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7094
Sponsor: Rep. Hensarling, Jeb [R-TX-5]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Bankruptcy
Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Financial crises and stabilization
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Housing finance and home ownership
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Government-Sponsored Enterprises Free Market Reform Act of 2008 - Sets a deadline for the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to terminate the conservatorship of either the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) if the Director determines that it is financially viable. (Refers to both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as enterprises.)
 
Requires the Director to appoint the Federal Housing Finance Agency immediately as receiver of either enterprise if it is found not to be financially viable.
 
Restricts the authority of an enterprise to acquire mortgage assets following its emergence from conservatorship.
 
Requires the Director to establish mandatory minimum capital levels for the enterprises. 

Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to repeal the temporary conforming loan limit increase for the enterprises.

Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to repeal provisions governing enterprise authority to purchase and sell certain insured and conventional mortgages and to engage in certain lending activities.

Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to repeal the new housing price index.

Amends the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to repeal certain conforming loan limits.

Requires the enterprises to pay state and local taxes.

Instructs the Director to assess each enterprise for the amount necessary to recoup to the federal government the full value of the benefit the enterprise receives from federal guarantees for its obligations and financial viability.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on a risk-based pricing mechanism to determine accurately the value of the benefit the enterprises receive from such federal guarantees.
 
Requires the wind down and dissolution of an enterprise whose charter is not renewed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7095
Sponsor: Rep. Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Family services
Health care costs and insurance
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Indian social and development programs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Minority health
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income (available for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions) for the cost of long-term care premiums for the taxpayer and certain family members, including the taxpayer's spouse, ancestors, or lineal descendants. Phases in the deduction by allowing the deduction of 50 percent of the cost of premiums in 2009, 75 percent in 2010, and 100 percent in 2011 or thereafter. Allows long-term care insurance as a benefit under tax-qualified cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements.

Allows a tax credit for caregivers of individuals with long-term health care needs. Phases in a $3,000 credit amount for 2013 or thereafter, beginning with $1,000 in 2009, $1,500 in 2010, $2,000 in 2011, and $2,500 in 2012. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns), adjusted for inflation after 2009. 

Increases funding for the the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Native American Caregiver Support Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 Ways and Means, 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 Ways and Means, 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
Tax Incentives for Growth, Expansion and Revitalization Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7096
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-27]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee hiring
Income tax deductions
Unemployment
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Tax Incentives for Growth, Expansion and Revitalization Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers in a high-job loss area a tax deduction for 50% of the income attributable to trade or business activities conducted in such area. Designates an area as a high-job loss area based upon standards relating to employment, annual payroll, and business establishments. Makes such tax deduction applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2014. 


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
Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7097
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-27]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Income tax credits
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for the production and sale of biogas. Defines &quot;biogas&quot; as a gas that is derived by processing qualified energy feedstock (i.e., manure of agricultural livestock and other organic agricultural or food industry byproduct waste material) in an anaerobic digester and that contains at least 60% methane and carbon dioxide and trace gases. Provides an increased credit for biogas produced from qualified cellulosic energy feedstock.


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
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income discharges of student loans the repayment of which is income contingent or income based.

Bill: 110-hr-7098
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Education
Federal aid to education
Higher education
Income tax
Scholarships
Student loan funds
Tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income discharges of student loan indebtedness based on repayments which are income contingent or income based. 


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
Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7099
Sponsor: Rep. Lungren, Daniel E. [R-CA-3]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Armed Forces and National Security
Civil actions and liability
Conspiracy
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
Evidence (Law)
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Identification devices
International Affairs
Jurisdiction
Law
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine transportation
Navigation
Sentencing guidelines
Ships
Smuggling
Submarines
Territorial waters
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
U.S. Sentencing Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: For Further Action See S.3598.
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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
DTV Coupon Assistance Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7100
Sponsor: Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Income tax credits
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
DTV Coupon Assistance Act of 2008 - Allows individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for $40 for each of their expired digital-to-analog converter box coupons, up to a maximum of $80.


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
To establish a task force to lower energy costs for the forest product industry and similar manufacturing operations, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-7101
Sponsor: Rep. Michaud, Michael H. [D-ME-2]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Pulp and Paper Energy Security Task Force to: (1) identify the energy needs of the forest product industry and similar manufacturing operations, and programs and services provided by the federal and state governments, as well as nongovernment organizations, that may serve to lower energy costs; and (2) assess the extent to which such programs and services serve those needs.
 
Requires the Task Force to make recommendations to the Secretary on: (1) how to more effectively serve such needs; (2) how to promote recommended new programs and services; (3) creation of a permanent advisory board and establishment of an Internet website to receive and dispense relevant information and resources; and (4) development of additional education materials and programs.
 
Requires the Task Force to organize and distribute existing materials that inform and educate with respect to such energy needs of the forest product industry and similar manufacturing operations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
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
Ensuring Safe Facilities and Equipment for American Troops Overseas Act

Bill: 110-hr-7102
Sponsor: Rep. Ortiz, Solomon P. [D-TX-27]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Armed forces abroad
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Defense contracts
Department of Defense
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Labor and Employment
Law
Military and naval supplies
Occupational health and safety
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Ensuring Safe Facilities and Equipment for American Troops Overseas Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense, in order to assure the safe utilization by the Armed Forces of expeditionary facilities, infrastructure, and equipment supporting U.S. military operations overseas, to certify to the congressional defense committees that: (1) generally accepted industry safety standards are incorporated into military regulations establishing requirements for such facilities, infrastructure, and equipment; (2) each contract or task or delivery order for the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, or operation of overseas expeditionary facilities incorporates such industry standards; and (3) such standards apply in all current and future U.S. military operations overseas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-10-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Efficiency Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7103
Sponsor: Rep. Pomeroy, Earl [D-ND-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative fees
Auditing
Commerce
Contracts
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Financial statements
Labor and Employment
Law
Licenses
Personnel management
Service industries
Social security taxes
Surety and fidelity
Tax administration
Wages
Withholding tax

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Small Business Efficiency Act of 2008- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat professional employer organizations (PEOs), certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as employers for employment tax purposes (thus allowing such PEOs to pay wages and collect and remit payroll taxes on behalf of an employer). 

Sets forth IRS certification requirements for PEOs, including financial review and reporting requirements. Requires a PEO to post a bond (the greater of $50,000 or 5% of the organization's tax liability for the preceding calendar year not to exceed $1,000,000) to guarantee payment of employment taxes. 


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
National Commission on Financial Collapse and Recovery Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7104
Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Jon C. [R-NV-3]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Financial crises and stabilization
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
National Commission on Financial Collapse and Recovery Act of 2008 - Establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on the Financial Collapse and Recovery of 2008 to study and report to the President and Congress on the facts, circumstances, and causes relating to the collapse of the financial markets and financial institutions that occurred during 2008, along with recommendations for corrective measures to prevent such failures in the future.
 

 



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