hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1213
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Electronic data interchange
Families
Federal aid to child health services
Government Operations and Politics
Health information systems
Health insurance
Medicaid
Medically uninsured
Pregnant women
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Welfare eligibility
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to give states the option of providing for simplified determinations of a child's or pregnant woman's financial eligibility for Medicaid or SCHIP that are made by a non-health federal or state agency administering a program providing nutrition or other public assistance.

Allows state mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems, for which Medicaid payments may be made, to include technology that enables inter-program connections and other technology that: (1) reduces the number of individuals inaccurately granted eligibility; (2) increases the number of individuals accurately granted eligibility; or (3) improves the efficiency of eligibility determinations.

Authorizes relevant federal, state, local, and private entities to convey information about an individual to a person directly connected with the administration of a state Medicaid plan or SCHIP, if such information is used solely for the purposes of identifying, verifying, and enrolling individuals who are eligible.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Invest in Small Business Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1214
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Commerce
Corporation taxes
Economics and Public Finance
Enterprise zones
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Minimum tax
Small business
Stocks
Tax exclusion
Tax preferences
Tax rates
Urban affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Invest in Small Business Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale or exchange of qualified small business stock from 50 to 75 % of such gain and to reduce the required holding period for such stock from five to four years; (2) allow a 100% exclusion of gain from such stock sold by a business in an empowerment zone; (3) deny a tax exclusion for small business stock held by a 25% controlled corporate group; (4) repeal as an item of tax preference under the alternative minimum tax the exclusion of gain from the sale of small business stock; (5) repeal the 28% income tax rate on the gain from the sale of small business stock which is not excluded from gross income; (6) revise the definition of &quot;qualified small business&quot; for certain tax purposes to mean a C corporation with aggregate gross assets not exceeding $100 million (currently, $50 million); and (7) provide for an annual inflation adjustment to the small business aggregate gross asset amount after 2007.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5100-5101)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5099-5100)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and improve certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-1215
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Apprenticeship
Education
Governmental investigations
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Residence requirements
Unemployment
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' education
Veterans' employment

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Sets $19 million as the maximum amount per fiscal year for reimbursement to states and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits.
 
Extends through FY2007 a pilot program of on-job training for veterans' claims adjudicators.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive, for public interest purposes on a case-by-case basis, the residency requirement for a Director for Veterans' Employment and Training.
 
Includes veterans of the Global War on Terror within an ongoing veterans' unemployment study.
 
Amends the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 to extend through 2009 an increase in benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Laser Visa Extension Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1216
Sponsor: Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Admission of nonimmigrants
Boundaries
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Identification devices
International Affairs
Latin America
Mexico
New Mexico
Right to travel
Tourism
Transportation and Public Works
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Laser Visa Extension Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to permit a national of Mexico to travel up to 100 miles from the international border between Mexico and New Mexico if such national: (1) possesses a valid machine-readable biometric border crossing identification card issued by a Department of State consular officer; (2) enters New Mexico through a port of entry where such card is processed using a machine reader; (3) has successfully completed any required background check; and (4) is admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant tourist or business visitor. 
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to limit the travel of an otherwise qualifying national of Mexico to less than 100 miles from the Mexico-New Mexico border if such national was previously admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant and violated the terms and conditions of such status. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5101)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5101)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
School Safety Enhancements Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1217
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Authorization
Bombs
Child safety
Community and school
Department of Justice
Disasters
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Electronic surveillance
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency Management
Explosives
Families
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to law enforcement
Firearms
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Planning
School buildings
School security
Science, Technology, Communications
Security measures
Standards
Student aid
Telephone
Terrorism
Violence
Youth violence

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
School Safety Enhancements Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) allow the placement and use of surveillance equipment in schools under the matching grant program for public elementary and secondary school security; (2) allow the use of grant funds to establish hotlines or tiplines for reporting potentially dangerous students and situations and for making capital improvements to make school facilities more secure; (3) set the federal matching share of program costs at 80%; and (4) revise application requirements for school security grants.
 
Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Secretary of Education to establish an interagency task force to develop and promulgate advisory school safety guidelines.
 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education participating in any program under title IV (Student Assistance) of that Act to: (1) conduct an annual campus safety assessment in consultation with local law enforcement officials; and (2) develop and implement a campus emergency response plan that addresses a comprehensive set of emergency situations, including natural disasters, law enforcement emergencies, and terrorism. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare for All Act

Bill: 110-s-1218
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Coinsurance
Collective bargaining
Comprehensive health care
Economics and Public Finance
Excise tax
Federal employees
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government employees' health insurance
Government trust funds
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Medicare
Mental health services
Self-employed
Social Welfare
Tax rates
Taxation
Wages

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Medicare for All Act - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (Medicare for All) under which: (1) each eligible individual is entitled to benefits which include the full range and scope of benefits available under the original fee-for-service program under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare), with parity in coverage of mental health benefits, subject to appropriate cost sharing; (2) each enrollee is free to choose his or her own doctor and private health plan; and (3) benefits are similar to or no less than the health benefits coverage under FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program).
 
Establishes the Medicare for All Trust Fund.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose: (1) on the income of every enrolled individual a tax equal to 1.7% of wages received in excess of $25,000; (2) on every employer an excise tax equal to 7% of the wages paid to each enrolled employee; and (3) on the self-employment income of every enrolled individual, a tax equal to the applicable percentage of the self-employment income for such taxable year in excess of $25,000.
 
Sets forth provisions governing application of this Act to collective bargaining agreements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1219
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Department of the Treasury
Economics and Public Finance
Employment tests
Evidence (Law)
Executive reorganization
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Grants-in-aid
Income tax
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Labor and Employment
Law
Licenses
Loans
Poverty
Professional ethics
Social Welfare
Tax administration
Tax preparers
Tax refunds
Taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make grants for tax return preparation clinics for low-income taxpayers; (2) allow enrolled agents licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to use designation of &quot;EA&quot; or &quot;E.A.&quot;; (3) regulate and test paid income tax preparers; (4) contract for the development or administration of examinations for paid income tax preparers; (5) require the registration of refund anticipation loan facilitators; and (6) award demonstration project grants to assist low-income taxpayers without bank accounts to obtain such accounts with federally-insured depository institutions.

Establishes in the IRS the Office of Professional Responsibility to administer the regulation of paid income tax preparers. Requires such Office to make public any sanctions imposed on such preparers.

Requires refund anticipation loan facilitators to make specified disclosures to taxpayers about refund loan transactions.

Grants the National Taxpayer Advocate authority to issue taxpayer assistance orders in cases involving closing agreements and compromises.

Grants the Secretary authority to consider all facts and circumstances involving a taxpayer in evaluating an offer in compromise of tax liability.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5102-5105)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5101-5102)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Reimbursing Our American Drivers (ROAD) Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1220
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Automobiles
Charitable contributions
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Government travel
Health
Household moving
Income tax
Tax deductions
Transportation and Public Works
Travel costs

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Reimbursing Our American Drivers (ROAD) Act of 2007 - Increases to 60 cents per mile, for the period after December 31, 2006, and before January 1, 2008: (1) the standard mileage rate for calculating the tax deduction for business, medical, and moving use of an automobile; and (2) the standard mileage rate for reimbursement of federal employee automobile expenses. Increases from 14 to 30 cents per mile the standard mileage rate for purposes of computing the tax deduction for the use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Countdown to Coverage Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1221
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Comprehensive health care
Congress
Congressional sessions
Federal employees
Finance and Financial Sector
Government employees' health insurance
Health insurance
Insurance premiums
Legislation
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Countdown to Coverage Act of 2007 - Provides that if legislation ensuring accessible, affordable, and meaningful health insurance for all Americans is not enacted before the adjournment sine die of the 111th Congress: (1) federal contributions under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for Members of Congress shall be prohibited; and (2) Members shall pay 100% of all premiums for such Programs. 
 
Requires the Institute of Medicine to notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Secretary of the Senate, and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House of Representatives: (1) that such legislation has not been enacted, if it has not been; and (2) the dates and adjustments required to take effect under this Act.
 
 Requires, upon receipt of such notice, OPM, the Secretary, and the CAO to make such adjustments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5105-5106)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5105)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Stopping Mortgage Transactions which Operate to Promote Fraud, Risk, Abuse, and Underdevelopment Act

Bill: 110-s-1222
Sponsor: Sen. Obama, Barack [D-IL]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Commerce
Consumer credit
Counseling
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal justice information
Finance and Financial Sector
Fines (Penalties)
Foreclosure
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Home ownership
Law
Mortgages
Real estate appraisal
Social Welfare
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
Stopping Mortgage Transactions which Operate to Promote Fraud, Risk, Abuse and Underdevelopment Act, or the STOP FRAUD Act - Amends federal criminal law to make it unlawful for any mortgage professional to: (1) defraud any natural person or financial institution regarding an offer of consumer credit secured by an interest either in real property or in personal property used as a principal dwelling; or (2) falsely obtain money or property from a natural person in connection with an extension of consumer credit secured by an interest in such property.

Subjects violations of this Act to civil and criminal penalties.

Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) a system for authorized mortgage professionals to receive updates from federal law enforcement agencies on suspicious activity trends in the mortgage industry and mortgage fraud-related convictions; (2) a Debarred or Censured Mortgage Professional Database that may be accessed to determine the federal and state bar status of mortgage professionals; and (3) grants to assist law enforcement agencies establish and improve mortgage fraud task forces.

Grants whistleblower protection to personnel of a widely accepted private certification board.

Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide tenants, homeowners, and other consumers with mortgage fraud counseling.

Directs the Secretary to provide grants to state appraisal agencies to improve the monitoring and enforcement of housing appraisal regulations.

Sets forth additional rights of borrowers in foreclosure proceedings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5106)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1223
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2007-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency communication systems
Grants-in-aid
Radio broadcasting
Radio stations
Science, Technology, Communications
Telecommunication systems

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: 
First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal share, and termination of grant authority.

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include specified assistance to first response broadcasters among the essential assistance that federal agencies may provide to meet immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster; (2) prohibit a federal officer or employee from confiscating fuel, water, or food from such a broadcaster during a disaster if that broadcaster documents that such supplies will be used to enable the broadcast of essential disaster-related public information in the affected area; and (3) direct the head of a federal agency to allow access to the area affected by a major disaster for technical personnel, broadcast engineers, and equipment needed to restore, repair, or resupply any facility or equipment critical to such a broadcaster's ability to continue to acquire, produce, and transmit essential disaster-related public information, subject to specified limitations. Establishes guidelines for press access to a disaster area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5107-5109)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5019,  S5106-5107)
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1225
Sponsor: Sen. Hagel, Chuck [R-NE]
Introduced: 2007-04-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Air force
Alien labor
Armed Forces and National Security
Army
Citizenship
Compulsory military service
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal aliens
Education
English language
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Identification of criminals
Illegal aliens
Immigrants
Labor and Employment
Married people
Recruiting and enlistment

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-26
text: 
Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act establish a points-based process for qualifying aliens unlawfully in the United States as of January 7, 2004, to be granted permanent resident status.
 
Provides that a qualifying alien applicant: (1) who has passed security and criminal checks shall be issued a conditional resident orange card under which the alien shall be granted employment authorization pending final permanent resident status adjudication; and (2) with an orange card who has earned at least 65% of the base points under this Act shall have his or her status adjusted to permanent resident.
 
Requires an alien adjusting to permanent resident status to: (1) satisfy physical presence and admissibility requirements; (2) pay appropriate fees, fines, and taxes; (3) demonstrate basic citizenship skills; and (4) register for selective service if otherwise required. (States that an alien may be required to undergo a medical examination.)
 
Sets forth the following base point categories: (1) U.S. employment; (2) U.S. presence; (3) education; (4) family relations; (5) English language ability; and (6) contributions to society.
 
Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) status adjustment for spouses and children; (2) grounds of inadmissibility; (3) confidentiality of information; (4) penalties for false application information; (5) public benefits; and (6) removal.
 
Makes orange card holders eligible for Army or Air Force enlistment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-04-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-04-26
text: Introduced in Senate