hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2135
Sponsor: Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Agricultural industries
Animals
Civil actions and liability
Commerce
Competition
Contracts
Corporate management
Department of Agriculture
Executive reorganization
Federal employees
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government attorneys
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Injunctions
Law
Legal fees
Legal services
Livestock
Marketing of farm produce
Meat packing industry
Poultry
Restrictive trade practices

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to define specified terms.
 
Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Special Counsel for Competition Matters, which shall be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters. States that the Office shall: (1) investigate and prosecute violations of this Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (2) serve as a liaison between the Department and the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector; and (3) maintain a staff of attorneys and other appropriate professionals. 
 
Prohibits unfair or deceptive agricultural commerce acts or practices respecting: (1) crops; (2) producer associations; and (3) agricultural production and marketing contracts.
 
Sets forth agricultural and production contract and enforcement provisions.
 
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to eliminate the &quot;slaughter&quot; requirement from the definitions of &quot;poultry grower,&quot; &quot;poultry growing arrangement,&quot; and &quot;live poultry dealer.&quot; States that the term &quot;poultry grower&quot; does not include an employee of such grower.
 
Extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; and (2) temporary injunction or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care. Increases the maximum civil penalty for violations by live poultry dealers.
 
States that it shall be an unlawful practice to engage in an unfair or discriminatory practice or device or to control or manipulate prices regardless of whether the practice, device, or course of business causes a competitive injury or otherwise adversely effects competition, and regardless of any alleged business justification. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives and Market Transformation Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2137
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Electric appliances
Energy
Energy efficiency
Income tax
Science, Technology, Communications
Tax credits
Water Resources Development
Water conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives and Market Transformation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the applicable amount of the tax credit for energy efficient appliances (i.e., dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers which restrict water and energy consumption) produced after 2007.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Investment in America Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2138
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Income tax
Industrial research
Research and development tax credit
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Investment in America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 12 to 20% the rate of the alternative simplified tax credit for research expenses; (2) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (3) repeal the alternative incremental tax credit for research expenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Internet Gambling Study Act

Bill: 110-hr-2140
Sponsor: Rep. Berkley, Shelley [D-NV-1]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Gambling
Governmental investigations
Internet
Legislation
Science, Technology, Communications
Sports and Recreation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Internet Gambling Study Act - Requires the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs such activities and transactions and the impact of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act on Internet gambling in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-28
text: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Discharged.
action_date: 2007-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Small Community Options for Regulatory Equity Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2141
Sponsor: Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Arsenic
Environmental Protection Agency
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Nonprofit organizations
Potable water
Public utilities
Radon
Social Welfare
Standards
Uranium
Water Resources Development
Water pollution control
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Small Community Options for Regulatory Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require states exercising primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems to exempt any nonprofit small public water system (serving 10,000 or fewer persons) that so requests in accordance with this Act from the requirements of any national primary drinking water regulation for naturally occurring contaminants, including arsenic, radon, radium, uranium, and specified disinfection byproducts.
 
Requires exemption requests to include a finding that the system's compliance with applicable national primary drinking water regulations is not economically feasible. Precludes judicial or administrative review of such findings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 39, United States Code, to allow absentee ballots in Federal elections to be mailed by voters free of postage.

Bill: 110-hr-2142
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Absentee voting
Ballots
Congress
Congressional elections
Postage stamps
Postal service
Presidential elections

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Allows absentee ballots in federal elections to be mailed free of postage, except for any mail matter transmitted under the provisions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2007-05-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E957)
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Interagency Reform Study Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2143
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Geoff [R-KY-4]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional reporting requirements
Decision making
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Interagency Reform Study Act of 2007 - Directs the: (1) Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Center for the Study of the Presidency to conduct a study on the national security interagency system; and (2) Center to report study results to Congress and the President.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
To establish a pilot program in the Department of State for improvement of government-to-government relations with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

Bill: 110-hr-2145
Sponsor: Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-25]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Department of State
Executive reorganization
Federal-Indian relations
Florida
Government Operations and Politics
Minorities

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State a pilot program with the Miccosukee Indian tribe (Florida) for the purpose of exploring the development of more appropriate and effective arrangements for managing relations between the federal government and Indian tribes.
 
Vests in the Secretary of State the authorities and responsibilities currently vested in any federal official or agency with respect to managing relations between the federal government and the Miccosukee Indian tribe.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2146
Sponsor: Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Commerce
Consumer credit
Credit cards
Interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from: (1) using any adverse information concerning any consumer, including any in a consumer report or any change in the consumer's credit score, as the basis for increasing any annual percentage rate of interest for a credit card account of the consumer's under an open end consumer credit plan; or (2) removing or increasing any introductory annual percentage rate of interest for that account, for reasons other than actions or omissions of the consumer directly related to the account.
 
Requires such limitation on the use of adverse information to be clearly and conspicuously described to the consumer by the credit card issuer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a 15-year recovery period for property used in the transmission or distribution of electricity for sale.

Bill: 110-hr-2148
Sponsor: Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Depreciation and amortization
Electric power distribution
Electric power transmission
Electric utilities
Energy
Income tax
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 15-year recovery period for the depreciation of: (1) certain property used in the transmission or distribution of electricity for sale and which is originally placed in service after enactment of this Act; and (2) initial clearing and grading land improvements with respect to any electric utility transmission and distribution plant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E957-958)
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Healthcare Eligibility for Late Participants (HELP) in Medicare Part D Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2149
Sponsor: Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional reporting requirements
Drugs
Finance and Financial Sector
Health insurance
Health maintenance organizations
Insurance premiums
Managed care
Medical economics
Medicare
Prescription pricing
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Healthcare Eligibility for Late Participants (HELP) in Medicare Part D Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to waive the late enrollment penalty under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) for certain months for individuals who: (1) are first eligible to enroll for such benefit for 2006 or 2007; and (2) enroll by the end of the first annual, coordinated election period following their initial enrollment period. Limits the amount of such penalty for any eligible individual for a continuous period of eligibility to 25% of the base beneficiary premium.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the Medicare prescription drug late enrollment penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
To authorize appropriations to provide for South Pacific exchanges.

Bill: 110-hr-2150
Sponsor: Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Authorization
Department of State
Economics and Public Finance
Educational exchanges
Federal aid to education
Fiji
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
International Affairs
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Oceania
Pacific Islanders
Palau Islands
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations for South Pacific exchanges under the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
To provide technical and other assistance to countries in the Pacific region through the United States Agency for International Development.

Bill: 110-hr-2151
Sponsor: Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Economic assistance
Economics and Public Finance
Fiji
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Oceania
Pacific Islanders
Palau Islands
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Technical assistance
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Directs the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), upon request, to provide technical and other assistance to: (1) The Cook Islands; (2) The Federated States of Micronesia; (3) The Independent State of Samoa; (4) The Kingdom of Tonga; (5) Niue; (6) Papua New Guinea; (7) The Republic of Fiji; (8) The Republic of Kiribati; (9) The Republic of the Marshall Islands; (10) The Republic of Nauru; (11) The Republic of Palau; (12) The Republic of Vanuatu; (13) The Solomon Islands; and (14) Tuvalu.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Pacific Islands Fulbright Scholarship Fund Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2152
Sponsor: Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Educational exchanges
Federal aid to education
Fiji
Higher education
International Affairs
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Oceania
Pacific Islanders
Palau Islands
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Pacific Islands Fulbright Scholarship Fund Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to review and report to Congress on the marginalization of Pacific Island students in the awarding of Fulbright Scholarships.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish an annual one-year program within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange program providing scholarships to Pacific Islands students for study in the United States pursuant to the terms of such Exchange program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2153
Sponsor: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Aeronautics
Appropriations
Astronautics
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Engineering
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
International competitiveness
Mathematics
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Research and development
Scientific education
Space activities
Space exploration
Space flight
Technological innovations

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), funded at the levels authorized for FY2007 and FY2008 and at appropriate levels in subsequent fiscal years, would enable a robust and balanced set of programs in science, aeronautics, education, and human space flight and exploration, and allow full participation in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
Rural Energy for America Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2154
Sponsor: Rep. Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Agricultural subsidies
Agriculture and Food
Alternative energy sources
Biomass energy
Cellulose
Commerce
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Electric power production
Elementary and secondary education
Energy efficiency
Farmers
Federally-guaranteed loans
Government lending
Housing and Community Development
Nonprofit organizations
Rebates
Rural education
School districts
Small business
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Rural Energy for America Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to rename the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program as the rural energy for America program (REAP).
 
Makes rural school districts eligible for REAP.
 
Authorizes REAP assistance to produce and sell electricity generated by new renewable energy systems.
 Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible entities to provide rebates for farmers, ranchers, rural school districts, and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Defines eligible entities as: (1) a state energy or agriculture office; (2) a nonprofit state-based energy efficiency or renewable energy organization that uses public funds provided directly or under contract with a state agency; (3) any other nonprofit organization with a demonstrated ability to administer a statewide energy efficiency or renewable energy rebate program; or (4) a consortium of such entities. Limits rebates to the lower of $10,000 or 50% of the cost to purchase a renewable energy system or an energy efficiency improvement. 
Extends REAP funding through FY 2012 with set-asides for the rebate program.
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should implement a direct loan program to complement REAP grants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-31
text: Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
action_date: 2007-05-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
To provide for the conversion of a temporary judgeship for the district of Hawaii to a permanent judgeship.

Bill: 110-hr-2155
Sponsor: Rep. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI-2]
Introduced: 2007-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: District courts
Hawaii
Judges

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: 
Converts a temporary judgeship for the district of Hawaii to a permanent judgeship.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2007-05-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E949)
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-03
text: Introduced in House