hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Fast Track to College Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6926
Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Dale E. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: College costs
College teachers
Economics and Public Finance
Education of the disadvantaged
Educational accountability
Educational innovations
Elementary and secondary education
Federal aid to education
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Higher education
Rating of teachers
Secondary education
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Fast Track to College Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award matching six-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that partner with institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish or support dual enrollment programs, such as early college high schools, that allow high school students to simultaneously earn credit toward a high school diploma and a postsecondary degree or certificate.
 
Gives grant priority to applicants: (1) that propose to establish or support a dual enrollment program for a student body at least 40% of which is impoverished; and (2) from states that provide assistance to dual enrollment programs, such as assistance defraying the costs of higher education.
 
Requires applicants to make assurances that students will not be required to pay tuition or fees for postsecondary courses, and that those courses will be taught by faculty that meet their partner IHE's normal standards.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award six-year grants to states to: (1) plan and implement statewide strategies to make dual enrollment programs more accessible to students who are underrepresented in postsecondary education; and (2) provide technical assistance to local dual enrollment programs.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract for an independent evaluation of this Act's programs; and (2) provide technical assistance to LEAs and their partners, and disseminate information concerning best practices in dual enrollment programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
To protect the civil rights of victims of gender-motivated violence and to promote public safety, health, and regulate activities affecting interstate commerce by creating employer liability for negligent conduct that results in an individual's committing a gender-motivated crime of violence against another individual on premises controlled by the employer, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6927
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-14]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Business and social problems
Civil actions and liability
Civil rights enforcement
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crimes against women
Damages
Employee crimes
Employers' liability
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Injunctions
Jurisdiction
Labor and Employment
Law
Negligence
Occupational health and safety
Punitive damages
Sex discrimination
State courts
Torts
Victims of crimes
Violence in the workplace
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Declares an employer liable to a party injured in a crime of violence motivated by gender if: (1) the employer's business is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce; and (2) the employer's negligent conduct results in the perpetration of a gender-motivated crime of violence against an individual upon premises under the employer's control.

States that nothing in this Act: (1) entitles a person to a cause of action for random acts of violence unrelated to gender or for acts that cannot be demonstrated to be motivated by gender; or (2) requires a prior criminal complaint, prosecution, or conviction.

Gives the federal and state courts concurrent jurisdiction over actions brought pursuant to this Act.

Directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to create and provide to employers materials regarding personnel policies and safety standards to assist them in avoiding liability under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1823)
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
ASPIRE

Bill: 110-hr-6928
Sponsor: Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance
Arts
Arts, Culture, Religion
Business education
Career education
Colleges
Commerce
Community and school
Economics and Public Finance
Education of the disadvantaged
Educational accountability
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to education
Geography and mapping
Higher education
History
Housing and Community Development
Indian education
Labor and Employment
Labor unions
Language arts
Mathematics
Minorities
Music
Native Americans
Nature conservation
Nonprofit organizations
Physical education and training
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Reading
Rural education
School districts
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientific education
Secondary education
Service learning
Social Welfare
Social sciences
Student activities
Student transportation
Technical education
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
After School Partnerships Improve Results in Education Act or ASPIRE - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to partnerships, composed of a state or local educational agency and at least one college or nonprofit, community, tribal, business, labor, or career technical student organization, for the development of national model after-school interdisciplinary education programs for secondary school students. 
 
Directs the Secretary to allot grants to states for matching subgrants to other partnerships, composed of such entities, for the development of after-school interdisciplinary education programs for secondary school students.
 
Gives grant and subgrant priority to programs targeting a high percentage of impoverished, struggling, or rural students and their families.
 
Requires each partnership grantee and subgrantee to include in its program: (1) at least one activity involving mathematics and science education, language arts, writing, and reading, or history, geography, or social studies; and (2) at least one activity involving career technical education, business and entrepreneurial education, health and wellness, the environment and conservation, or arts and music education.
 
Allows program activities to take place after school, before school, or at any other time that the school is not in session.
 

 
Directs the Secretary to carry out national activities, such as providing technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees, and conducting a national evaluation of such programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Office of Legal Counsel Reporting Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6929
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Brad [D-NC-13]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive branch relations
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Government information and archives
Lawyers and legal services
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Office of Legal Counsel Reporting Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to require the Attorney General to report to Congress on certain authoritative Department of Justice legal interpretations (including those by the Office of Legal Counsel) submitted to the President, executive branch agency heads, or the Secretaries of the military departments about the constitutionality, non-application, or supersession of federal law.
 
Requires any qualified legal opinion issued to the President, any person or entity in the executive branch, or any member of the Armed Forces to be issued in writing, except when immediate action is required.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate and report to Congress on the performance of the Office of Legal Counsel during the 25-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize extended benefits for certain autistic dependents of certain retirees.

Bill: 110-hr-6930
Sponsor: Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Autism
Child health
Families
Health
Managed care
Military dependents
Retired military personnel
Retiree health benefits

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Revises TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to authorize the Secretary of Defense to provide extended health care services and treatment, by way of contract with private providers, for dependent autism-diagnosed children of military retirees not entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and not enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of such title.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
ChiPACC Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6931
Sponsor: Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Comprehensive health care
Families
Medicaid
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
ChiPACC Act of 2008 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give states the option of covering a children's program of all-inclusive coordinated care (ChiPACC).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1824-1825)
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Freedom of Religious Expression in the Home Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6932
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: First Amendment rights
Housing discrimination
Real estate business
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Freedom of Religious Expression in the Home Act of 2008 - Amends the Fair Housing Act with respect to discrimination in the sale or rental of housing and other prohibited practices.
 
Makes it unlawful to establish a rule or policy that prevents a person from displaying, on the basis of that person's religious belief, a religious symbol, object, or sign on the door, doorpost, entrance, or otherwise on the exterior of that person's dwelling, or that is visible from the exterior of that dwelling, unless the rule or policy is reasonable and is necessary to prevent significant damage to property, physical harm to persons, a public nuisance, or similar undue hardship.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Digital Television Coupon Improvement Act

Bill: 110-hr-6933
Sponsor: Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Telecommunication rates and fees
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
 Digital Television Coupon Improvement Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to require that coupons that can be applied toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes expire at the close of March 31, 2009. Applies the change to coupons issued after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6934
Sponsor: Rep. Solis, Hilda L. [D-CA-32]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child safety
Child welfare
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Crime prevention
Discrimination in criminal justice administration
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Federal aid to law enforcement
Government Operations and Politics
Juvenile delinquency
Minorities
Prisoners' rights
Prosecution
Racial discrimination
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to: (1) revise the definition of &quot;contact&quot; in such Act to include any sight or sound interaction between a juvenile in custody and an adult inmate; (2) expand eligibility for participation in grant programs under such Act to certain individuals and organizations with an interest in the juvenile justice system (&quot;juvenile justice stakeholders&quot;); (3) require state plans under such Act to provide for increased protections for juveniles in custody, provide for culturally and linguistically appropriate services to juveniles at risk, and establish policies and strategies to identify and reduce racial and ethnic disparities among youths in the juvenile justice system; (4) require the inclusion on state juvenile delinquency prevention advisory boards of individuals with experience and competence in addressing the needs of girls or in implementing gender responsive services; and (5) require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to assess and report on the effectiveness of treating juveniles as adults for purposes of criminal prosecutions. 

Amends the Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention Programs Act of 2002 to require the inclusion of gender specific services in the incentive grant program for juvenile delinquency prevention. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Space Commerce Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6935
Sponsor: Rep. Udall, Mark [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2008-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Artificial satellites
Commerce
Department of Commerce
Executive reorganization
Government Operations and Politics
Navigation satellites
Space activities
Space commercialization
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: 
Space Commerce Act of 2008 - Amends the Technology Administration Act of 1998 to redesignate the Office of Space Commercialization, within the Department of Commerce, as the Office of Space Commerce and revise its functions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1819)
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Bill: 110-hr-6936
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Canada
Endangered and threatened species
Hunting and fishing
Licensing and registrations
Mammals
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of polar bear parts (other than internal organs) taken in sport hunts in Canada before May 14, 2008. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
Reuniting Families Act

Bill: 110-hr-6938
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-15]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Alien labor
Deportation
East Asia
Families
Immigrants
Labor and Employment
Law
Married people
Orphans
Parents
Philippines
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Reuniting Families Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007.
 
Establishes the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. 
 
Revises the definition of &quot;immediate relative&quot; to: (1) mean a child, spouse, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (and for each family member of a citizen or resident, such individual's accompanying spouse or child), except that in the case of parents such citizens shall be at least 21 years old; (2) permit a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen or resident to seek permanent resident status if married at least two years at the time of the citizen's or resident's death or, if married less than two years, by showing through a preponderance of the evidence that the marriage was entered into in good faith and not solely to obtain an immigration benefit; and (3) include an alien who was the child or parent of a U.S. citizen or resident at the time of the citizen's or resident's death if the alien files a petition within two years after such date or prior to reaching 21 years old.
 
Increases immigration visas for: (1) unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and (2) brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
 
Provides a 60,000 visa allocation for the unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens.
 
Increases annual per country (10% of annual total) and dependent area (5% of annual total) limits for employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas.
 
Expands specified family-unity exceptions to unlawful presence-based inadmissibility.
 
Provides specified relief for orphans and spouses regarding: (1) petitions for immediate relative status; (2) parole eligibility; (3) permanent resident status adjustment; and (4) processing of immigrant visas.
 
Exempts children of naturalized Filipino World War II veterans from worldwide or numerical immigrant limitations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide two-fiscal year budget authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6939
Sponsor: Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Biennial budgets
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Veterans Affairs
Economics and Public Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Requires, beginning with FY2010, a two-fiscal-year budget authority for the following accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) Medical Services; (2) Medical Administration; and (3) Medical Facilities.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the adequacy and accuracy of VA baseline model projections for health care expenditures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
California Drought Alleviation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6940
Sponsor: Rep. Radanovich, George [R-CA-19]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Aquaculture
California
Endangered and threatened species
Fishes
Natural disasters
Water storage
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
California Drought Alleviation Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior: (1) within 30 days after the declaration of a drought emergency by the governor of California, to make a written determination as to the existence of a drought emergency for Central Valley Project and State Water Project service areas; and (2) upon determining such an emergency exists, to temporarily exempt operations of the C.W. &quot;Bill&quot; Jones and Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plants from prohibitions under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) against taking endangered or threatened species or adversely modifying critical habitat until drought emergency conditions are alleviated. Authorizes the Secretary to include in any such determination reasonable and prudent measures for the protection of an endangered species or its critical habitat.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with California to support the establishment of a fish hatchery program to preserve and restore the species Hypomesus transpacificus (Delta Smelt) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Requires the program to be designed to establish a sustainable population sufficient to warrant the species' removal from lists published under ESA and the State of California Endangered Species Act. Deems Hypomesus transpacificus maintained, cultured, introduced, or reintroduced to be members of any subspecies or population segment listed under ESA for purposes of determining whether such subspecies or population segment is a threatened or endangered species.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House