hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2553
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2008-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Depreciation and amortization
Economics and Public Finance
Federally-guaranteed loans
Fees
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Income tax
Losses
Minimum tax
Small Business Administration
Small business
Tax deductions
Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: 
Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act.

Appropriates, as an emergency requirement, additional funds in FY2008 for: (1) loan subsidies under the SBA Business Loans Program Account; and (2) direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $200,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) extend through 2008 the five-year carryback of certain unused net operating losses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-16
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2555
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2008-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: California
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Federal preemption
Government Operations and Politics
Motor vehicle pollution control
Standards
State laws
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: 
Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008 - Amends the Clean Air Act to approve the application of the state of California for a waiver of federal preemption of its motor vehicle emission standards. 

action_date: 2008-06-27
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008 - Amends the Clean Air Act to approve the application of the state of California for a waiver of federal preemption of its motor vehicle emission standards. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 861.
action_date: 2008-06-27
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 110-407. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2008-06-27
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 110-407. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2008-05-21
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the provisions of the Protect America Act of 2007 for an additional 30 days.

Bill: 110-s-2556
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2008-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appellate procedure
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Counterintelligence
Courts of special jurisdiction
Crime and Law Enforcement
Electronic surveillance
Law
Right of privacy
Science, Technology, Communications
Telecommunication industry
Warrants (Law)

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: 
Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 1, 2008) to extend its authority for 30 days.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 564.
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S287)
action_date: 2008-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the Protect America Act of 2007 until July 1, 2009.

Bill: 110-s-2557
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2008-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appellate procedure
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Counterintelligence
Courts of special jurisdiction
Crime and Law Enforcement
Electronic surveillance
Law
Right of privacy
Science, Technology, Communications
Telecommunication industry
Warrants (Law)

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: 
Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 1, 2008) to extend its authority until July 1, 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 565.
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S330)
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify a definition.

Bill: 110-s-2558
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2008-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air pollution control
Alternative energy sources
Biomass energy
Commerce
Emergency Management
Energy
Fire prevention
Forest ecology
Forest fires
Forest health
Lumber trade
National forests
Paper and paper products
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Tree diseases
Wood

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: 
Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the definition of &quot;renewable biomass&quot; to include certain commercial waste material harvested from National Forest System or public lands. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Blind Persons Earnings Fairness Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2559
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2008-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Blind
Disability evaluation
Disabled
Earnings
Labor and Employment
Old age, survivors and disability insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: 
Blind Persons Earnings Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase, by specified increments over five years, the level of earnings demonstrating the ability of a blind person to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability insurance benefit payments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S331)
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S330-331)
action_date: 2008-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-2560
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2008-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aid to dependent children
Cash welfare block grants
Child welfare
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Foster home care
Government Operations and Politics
Homeless
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Runaway children
State laws
Tax credits
Taxation
Teenage pregnancy
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: 
Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2007 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require State part E plans to provide that the state shall have in effect such laws and procedures as are necessary to ensure that: (1) a child may not be placed in foster care under state responsibility solely because the family with which the child is living is homeless or living in substandard housing; and (2) the state will work with the family and state housing authorities to secure permanent housing for any family that includes a minor child and is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to report to appropriate congressional committees on state policies and practices regarding: (1) access to federally funded child welfare services by children who have attained age 13; and (2) consideration of runaway and homeless situations as risk assessment factors for determining the appropriateness of placement in the child welfare system. 
 
Requires state part E plans to describe state policies and procedures regarding runaway or missing foster children.
 
Provides for extension of child welfare services to emancipated youth between ages 18 and 21.
 
Revises the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
 
Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to revise the requirement that the state provide adult-supervised living arrangements for teenage parents not yet living in such an arrangement.
 
Suspends the five-year time limit on TANF assistance for parents under age 21 who are involved in education or training.
 
Prohibits the imposition of sanctions under TANF with respect to minor parents unless the state has established procedures that help TANF recipients understand, avoid, or end sanctions, and has applied the procedures to the recipient. 
 
Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) TANF recipients who are parents and have not attained age 20; and (2) a representative sample of low-income teen parents who are not TANF recipients.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include homeless youth as a qualified targeted population for the work opportunity business income tax credit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a theme study to identify sites and resources to commemorate and interpret the Cold War.

Bill: 110-s-2561
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2008-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Cold War
Commemorations
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Government publications
Governmental investigations
Historic sites
History
International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) conduct a national historic landmark theme study to identify sites and resources in the United States that are significant to the Cold War; (2) establish the Cold War Advisory Committee; and (3) prepare and publish an interpretive handbook on such War and disseminate information gathered through the study.
action_date: 2008-09-16
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a national historic landmark theme study to identify sites and resources in the United States that are significant to the Cold War. Requires such theme study to include recommendations for commemorating and interpreting identified sites and resources, including; (1) sites for which studies for potential inclusion in the National Park System should be authorized; (2) sites for which new national historic landmarks should be nominated; and (3) other appropriate designations. 
 
Requires the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of the Air Force, state and local officials, state historic preservation offices, and other interested organizations and individuals in conducting the theme study. 

 Directs the Secretary to establish the Cold War Advisory Committee, which shall assist the Secretary in carrying out this Act. 

 Directs the Secretary to prepare and publish an interpretive handbook on such War and disseminate information gathered through the study. 

Authorizes appropriations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 985.
action_date: 2008-09-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2008-09-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2008-09-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-599.
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S397)
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S396-397)
action_date: 2008-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Kazakhstan.

Bill: 110-s-2562
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Central Asia
Government Operations and Politics
Kazakhstan
Most favored nation principle
Normal trade relations
President and foreign policy

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
Authorizes the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Kazakhstan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S446-447)
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Azerbaijan.

Bill: 110-s-2563
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Azerbaijan
Central Asia
Government Operations and Politics
Most favored nation principle
Normal trade relations
President and foreign policy

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
Authorizes the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Azerbaijan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S447)
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Government Accountability Office Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2564
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Agriculture and Food
Annuities
Auditing
Civil service retirement
Collection of accounts
Congressional agencies
Congressional investigations
Congressional reorganization
Congressional reporting requirements
Consultants
Economics and Public Finance
Expense accounts
Federal employees
Federal officials
Finance and Financial Sector
Financial disclosure
Financial statements
Gifts
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Inspectors general
Labor and Employment
Law
Recreation
Salaries
Severance pay

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
Government Accountability Office Act of 2008 - Revises certain administrative requirements for the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
 
Requires the Comptroller General (not the President, as currently) to appoint the Deputy Comptroller General, who shall serve at the Comptroller General's pleasure.
 
Establishes an Office of the Inspector General in GAO.
 
Requires the Comptroller General's annual report to Congress to assess the overall degree of federal agency cooperation with GAO audits.
 
Requires any executive agency (or component) that prepares an audited financial statement (or related schedule) to reimburse GAO the cost of any GAO audit.
 
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to revise the coverage of certain GAO officers and employees under its financial disclosure requirements.
 
Increases from 15 to 20 the number of experts and consultants whose services the Comptroller General may procure for renewable three-year terms at rates up to level IV of the Executive Schedule.
 
Makes funds appropriated to GAO for salaries and expenses also available for recruitment-related meals and entertainment.
 
Authorizes GAO to accept any money or property received as a gift, devise, bequest, grant, or otherwise to aid or facilitate its work.
 
Revises the highest basic pay rate for GAO personnel from GS-15 to Executive Level III.
 
Caps the Comptroller General's annuity at level II of the Executive Schedule instead of his or her basic pay rate. 
 
Revises requirements for: (1) the pay rates for senior-level positions at GAO; (2) voluntary separation incentive payments; and (3) basic pay for retirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a Federal income tax credit for certain home purchases.

Bill: 110-s-2566
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Foreclosure
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Loan defaults
Mortgages
Single family housing
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow purchasers of a single-family principal residence a one-time tax credit for up to $15,000 of the purchase price. Requires such a residence to be purchased after February 29, 2008, and before March 1, 2009, and that it be: (1) a new previously unoccupied residence for which a building permit has been issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007; (2) an owner-occupied residence with a mortgage indebtedness in default on or before March 1, 2008; or (3) in foreclosure and owned by the mortgagor or the mortgagor's agent. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Sales Tax Holiday Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2567
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government Operations and Politics
Intergovernmental tax relations
Local taxation
Sales tax
State taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Sales Tax Holiday Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse each state that elects to partipicapte in a sales tax holiday period (beginning after April 3, 2008, and ending before April 14, 2008) for 60% of the amount of state and local sales tax payable and not collected during such period.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit preleasing, leasing, and related activities in the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Planning Areas unless certain conditions are met.

Bill: 110-s-2568
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alaska
Animals
Arctic and polar regions
Bears
Coastal zone
Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Continental shelf
Endangered species
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Environmental technology
Gas in submerged lands
Habitat conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine ecology
Marine pollution
Oil and gas leases
Oil pollution
Oil well drilling
Petroleum in submerged lands
Prospecting
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Science, Technology, Communications
Water pollution control
Wildlife conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
 Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from offering for leasing, preleasing, and specified related activity within the Chukchi or Beaufort Sea Planning Area until the following prerequisites have been met: (1) the Secretary enters into an agreement with the National Research Council to report to Congress upon specified missing information regarding the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea marine and coastal ecosystems, and the adequacy of environmental, public health and cultural studies; (2) the polar bear is listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and critical habitat is designated for it, or the Secretary publishes a determination that such a listing is not warranted; (3) the Secretary determines that specified deployable mechanical oil spill response technologies exist; and (4) the Secretary determines that oil and gas exploration and development can be conducted in the Planning Areas without risk of substantial adverse impact to wildlife or wildlife habitat and subsistence, and that risk avoidance measures are identified and their efficacy established.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2569
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Blood banks
Clinical trials
Data banks
Economics and Public Finance
Epidemiology
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to health facilities
Federal aid to research
Government Operations and Politics
Laboratories
Medical research
Medical screening
Medical statistics
Medical tests
Nonprofit organizations
Ovarian cancer
Research centers
Research grants
Risk
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Tissue banks
Urinalysis
Women
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Cancer Institute to enter into cooperative agreements with, or make grants to, public or nonprofit entities to establish and operate centers to conduct research on biomarkers for use in risk stratification for, and the early detection and screening of, ovarian cancer. Designates each center as an Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Center of Excellence.

Allows federal payments under such an agreement or grant to be used for research on: (1) the development and characterization of new biomarkers and the refinement of existing biomarkers; (2) the clinical and laboratory validation of such biomarkers; (3) the development and implementation of clinical and epidemiological research on the utilization of such biomarkers; and (4) the development and implementation of repositories for new tissue, urine, serum, and other biological specimens.

Requires the Director to: (1) make available for research banked serum and tissue specimens from clinical research regarding ovarian cancer that was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (2) establish an Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Clinical Trial Committee, which shall be established and operated in consultation with the Gynecologic Oncology Group, to assist the Director to design and implement national clinical trials to determine the utility of such biomarkers; and (3) establish a national data center to conduct statistical analyses of trial data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S448)
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate