hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1033
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal breeding
Cats
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Dogs
Ecological research
Economic assistance
Endangered species
Environmental Protection
Environmental education
Environmental law enforcement
Environmental monitoring
Environmental protection groups
Federal advisory bodies
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Gifts
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publications
Government publicity
Government trust funds
Habitat conservation
Hunting
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Lions
Panthers
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public meetings
Public-private partnerships
Restoration ecology
Science, Technology, Communications
Sports and Recreation
Tigers
Treaties
Wild animal trade
Wildlife conservation
Wolves

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance for projects for the conservation of rare felids and rare canids. Authorizes the Secretary to convene an advisory group of individuals representing public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation of felids and canids. 

Restricts the use of grants for captive breeding or display purposes.

Establishes in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund as a separate account the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Fund.

Defines &quot;rare canid&quot; to: (1) mean any canid species, subspecies, or population that is not native to the United States and Canada, and is included in the threatened or endangered lists of the World Conservation Union, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and (2) include such a subspecies or population of dhole, gray wolf, ethiopian wolf, bush dog, or maned wolf.

Defines &quot;rare felid&quot; to: (1) mean any felid species, subspecies, or population that is not native to the United States and Canada, and is included in the threatened or endangered lists of the World Conservation Union, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and (2) include such a subspecies or population of lion, leopard, jaguar, snow leopard, clouded leopard, cheetah, or iberian lynx. Does not include any tiger.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4169)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural RISE Act

Bill: 110-s-1034
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Block grants
Business education
Capital gains tax
Commerce
Community development
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Entrepreneurs
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Grants-in-aid
Higher education
Home ownership
Housing finance
Income tax
Infrastructure
Labor and Employment
Loans
Losses
Marketing
Rural economic development
Rural education
Scholarships
Small business
Student loan funds
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion
Taxation
Wages

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Rural Investment to Strengthen our Economy Act of 2007 or Rural RISE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a capital loss deduction with respect to the sale or exchange of a principal residence in certain rural areas; and (2) expand the work opportunity tax credit to include a qualified small business employee as a targeted group member.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out a program for the forgiveness of student loans for certain rural students who obtain a degree.
 
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a: (1) rural entrepreneurship and microenterprise program; and (2) rural regional entrepreneurship program.
 
Requires the Secretary of Labor to award grants to: (1) regional skill alliances (business consortia) serving certain rural areas to assist in the development of job skills necessary for employment in specific industries; and (2) states to assist businesses, organizations, and agencies representing such industries in conducting planning to form such alliances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1035
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Admission of nonimmigrants
Alien labor
Department of Labor
Dislocated workers
Employers' liability
Federal employees
Fines (Penalties)
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Labor and Employment
Law
Minimum wages
Recruiting of employees
Visas
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise employer and government requirements with respect to H-1B (specialty occupation) and L-1 (intracompany transfer) nonimmigrant aliens.

Revises H-1B provisions to: (1) subject all H-1B employers (currently H-1B dependent employers) to such provisions; (2) lengthen U.S. worker displacement protection; (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor to initiate an H-1B employer investigation; and (4) increase employer penalties.

Sets forth employer petition requirements for an L-1 alien coming to the United States to open, or be employed in, a new facility.

Prohibits blanket L-1 petitions.

Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to initiate an L-1 employer investigation.

Sets forth L-1 employer penalty provisions.

Provides H-1B and L-1 alien whistleblower protections.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to hire 200 additional employees to administer H-1B programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6080-6081)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4169-4173)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1036
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cloning
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Genetic research
Genetics
Human embryology
Import restrictions
Law
Medical ethics
Medical research
Medical technology
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; or (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo. Prohibits knowingly importing such an embryo.
 
Sets forth criminal and civil penalties. 
Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans. 
Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the need to amend such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views concerning its use, and potential legal implications of somatic cell transfer research; and (2) a review of any technological developments that may require technical changes to such prohibition.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4173-4174)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Tumalo Water Conservation Project Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1037
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Congress
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to water resources development
Irrigation districts
Oregon
Sunset legislation
Water conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Tumalo Water Conservation Project Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the Tumalo Irrigation District, to participate in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon. Sets the federal share of the cost of the Project at 25%. Terminates the Secretary's authority to carry out this Act 10 years after its enactment. 

action_date: 2007-06-28
text: 

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

Tumalo Water Conservation Project Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the Tumalo Irrigation District, to participate in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon. Sets the federal share of the cost of the Project at 25%. Requires the District to pay Project operation and maintenance costs. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Secretary's authority to carry out this Act 10 years after its enactment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-28
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.
action_date: 2007-06-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-114.
action_date: 2007-06-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-114.
action_date: 2007-05-23
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-86.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Workforce Health Improvement Program Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1038
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Employee health benefits
Executive compensation
Fees
Fringe benefits
Health
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Physical fitness
Sports and Recreation
Sports facilities
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Workforce Health Improvement Program Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of employees: (1) the value of any on-premises employer-provided athletic facility; and (2) fees, dues, or membership expenses paid to an athletic or fitness facility by an employer for its employees, but not exceeding $900 per employee per year.

Allows employers a tax deduction for fees, dues, or membership expenses paid to an athletic or fitness facility. Limits the amount of such deduction to $900 per employee per year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4174)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4174)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the authorization for the Coastal Heritage Trail in the State of New Jersey.

Bill: 110-s-1039
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Authorization
Coastal zone
Commemorations
Economics and Public Finance
Historic sites
History
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
New Jersey
Roads and highways
Sports and Recreation
Trails
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Extends the authorities provided to the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the Coastal Heritage Trail Route in New Jersey until September 30, 2011. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 639.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-287.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-287.
action_date: 2008-01-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-266.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Tax Simplification Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1040
Sponsor: Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Civil service retirement
Commerce
Congress
Congressional voting
Corporation taxes
Cost of living adjustments
Economics and Public Finance
Estate tax
Excise tax
Executive compensation
Families
Flat-rate tax
Gift tax
Government Operations and Politics
House rules and procedure
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Individual retirement accounts
Labor and Employment
Legislation
Legislative amendments
Legislative resolutions
Local employees
Minimum tax
Pension funds
Retirement income
Self-employed
Senate rules and procedure
Social Welfare
State employees
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion
Tax expenditures
Tax penalties
Tax rates
Tax simplification
Tax-deferred compensation plans
Tax-exempt organizations
Unemployment insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Tax Simplification Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the marginal income tax rates with a single rate of 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2009) on individual taxable income. 
Redefines "taxable income" to mean the amount by which wages, retirement distributions, and unemployment compensation exceed the standard deduction. Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction for dependents. Includes in taxable income the taxable income of each dependent child under the age of 14. 
Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2009) of the business taxable income of such person. Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax, whether or not such person is an individual, a partnership, or a corporation. 
Imposes a tax of 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2009) on the value of excludable compensation provided during the year by an employer for the benefit of employees. Makes the employer liable for the tax. 
Repeals pension plan rules relating to : (1) non-discrimination; (2) contribution limits; and (3) restrictions on distributions. Revises rules relating to transfers of excess pension assets. 
 
Repeals: (1) the alternative minimum tax; (2) all income tax credits; (3) estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes; and (4) income tax provisions, except certain provisions relating to retirement distributions and tax-exempt organizations. 

 Declares it not in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate, unless waived or suspended by a three-fifths vote, to consider any legislation that increases or adds an income tax rate, reduces the standard deduction, or provides any exclusion, deduction, credit, or other benefit that reduces federal revenues.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Employee Free Choice Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1041
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Collective bargaining
Commerce
Disciplining of employees
Discrimination in employment
Dismissal of employees
Employee rights
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Industrial arbitration
Injunctions
Labor contracts
Labor unions
Law
Mediation
National Labor Relations Board
Unfair labor practices
Wage restitution

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Employee Free Choice Act of 2007- Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative (card-check) and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit.
 
Sets forth special procedural requirements for reaching an initial collective bargaining agreement following certification or recognition.
 
Revises enforcement requirements with respect to unfair labor practices during union organizing drives, particularly a preliminary investigation of an alleged unfair labor practice (ULP) which may lead to proceedings for injunctive relief. 
 
Requires that priority be given to a preliminary investigation of any charge that, while employees were seeking representation by a labor organization, or during the period after a labor organization was recognized as a representative until the first collective bargaining contract is entered into, an employer: (1) discharged or otherwise discriminated against an employee to encourage or discourage membership in the labor organization; (2) threatened to discharge or to otherwise discriminate against an employee in order to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of guaranteed self-organization or collective bardaining rights; or (3) engaged in any other related ULP that significantly interferes with, restrains, or coerces employees in the exercise of such guaranteed rights.
 
Adds to remedies for such violations: (1) back pay plus liquidated damages; and (2) additional civil penalties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7842-7843)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4175-4176)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4174)
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1042
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2007-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Accreditation (Education)
Accreditation (Medical care)
Administrative procedure
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Health and Human Services
Education
Educational tests
Federal preemption
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Housing and Community Development
Imaging systems in medicine
Law
Licenses
Medical education
Medical personnel
Medical tests
Nonprofit organizations
Performance measurement
Quality of care
Radiotherapy
Rural health
Social Welfare
Standards
State laws
X-rays

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: 
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards to ensure the safety and accuracy of medical imaging studies and radiation therapy treatments. Imposes such standards on personnel who perform, plan, or evaluate, or verify patient doses for, medical imaging studies and radiation therapy procedures and not on the equipment used. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure that individuals demonstrate compliance with such standards.
 
Requires the Secretary to provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training and experience are determined to equal or exceed that of: (1) a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; or (2) an individual who is regularly eligible to take the licensure or certification examination for that discipline.
 
Directs the Secretary to certify qualified nonprofit organizations as approved bodies to provide accreditation to individuals that demonstrate compliance with such standards. 
 
Requires individuals who provide medical imaging services relating to mammograms to continue to meet standards under the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992.
 
Deems state standards for licensure or certification of personnel, accreditation of educational programs, or administration of examinations to be in compliance with the standards under this Act unless the Secretary determines otherwise. Requires the Secretary to establish a process by which a state may appeal such a determination.
 
Requires the Secretary to ensure that all programs under the authority of the Secretary meet such standards.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural areas or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate