hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Rural Hospital Assistance Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3300
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Conflict of interests
Hospital rates
Hospitals
Housing and Community Development
Medical ethics
Medicare
Physicians
Rural health
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Rural Hospital Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the additional inpatient hospital service payment (payment adjustment) for low-volume hospitals (usually meaning a &quot;subsection (d) hospital&quot; located more than 25 road miles from another subsection (d) hospital and having less than 800 discharges during the fiscal year.)
 
Redefines low-volume hospital, for discharges occurring during FY2009 only, as a &quot;subsection (d) hospital&quot; located more than 15 (instead of 25) road miles from another &quot;subsection (d) hospital&quot; and having less than 1,500 (instead of 800) discharges of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) benefits (&quot;tweeners,'' or hospitals too large to be critical access hospitals, but too small to be financially viable under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system (PPS)).
 
Revises, for FY2009 only, the temporary applicable percentage in the formula for determining the payment adjustment for such hospitals.
 
Requires the use of the non-wage adjusted prospective payment rate (PPS) rate during FY2009 under the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program.
 
Prescribes requirements for hospitals to qualify for a Medicare hospital exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals to hospitals in which such physicians have an ownership or investment interest in the entity. (Eliminates the Medicare hospital exception for physician-owned hospitals, but provides a limited exception for existing facilities.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7300)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7075)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Good Neighbor Forestry Act

Bill: 110-s-3302
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animals
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Federal-state relations
Fire prevention
Forest fires
Forest health
Forest management
Government Operations and Politics
Habitat conservation
Range management
Restoration ecology
Subcontractors
Tree diseases
Water Resources Development
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Good Neighbor Forestry Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with state foresters to provide the forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection services as specified below on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands. 

Specifies that such authorized services include: (1) activities to treat insect infected trees; (2) activities to reduce hazardous fuels; and (3) any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.

Permits state foresters to enter into subcontracts to provide the restoration and protection services authorized under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Open Fuel Standard Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3303
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Alcohol as fuel
Alternative energy sources
Automobile industry
Automobiles
Biomass energy
Commerce
Consumer education
Diesel motor
Energy
Fuel
Labeling

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Open Fuel Standard Act of 2008 or the OFS Act - Requires each light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual inventory to comprise at least: (1) 50% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in years 2012-2014; and (2) 80% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2015, and in each subsequent year.
 
Defines &quot;fuel choice-enabling automobile&quot; as: (1) a flexible fuel automobile capable of operating on gasoline, E85, and M85; or (2) an automobile capable of operating on biodiesel fuel.
 
Authorizes a manufacturer to request an exemption from such requirement from the Secretary of Transportation.
 
Requires: (1) each manufacturer that receives an exemption to place a label on each exempted automobile; and (2) each exempted light-duty automobile delivered to a dealer and first purchaser to be accompanied with a written notification of such exemption.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7017-7018)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Brower Palisade Designation Act

Bill: 110-s-3304
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Commemorations
Congressional tributes
Environmental Protection
Environmental protection groups
Mountains
Names
National forests
National parks
Nature conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Brower Palisade Designation Act - Designates the North Palisade, a prominent peak in the Palisade group of peaks in the Sierra Nevada bordering Kings Canyon National Park and the Inyo National Forest in California, as the Brower Palisade in honor of the late David Brower.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7075-7076)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7075)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Conserving Our Recreation and Park Services Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3305
Sponsor: Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Government trust funds
Outdoor recreation
Sports and Recreation
User charges
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Conserving Our Recreation and Park Services Act of 2008 or the CORPS Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to charge recreation fees with respect to lands and waters administered by the Corps of Engineers in the same manner as the Secretary of the Interior may charge such fees with respect to federal recreation lands and waters managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a special account in the Treasury for the Corps, which shall be used for the same purpose and subject to the same conditions as the special accounts established for each federal land management agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
American Oil for American Families Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3306
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Continental shelf
Export controls
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil well drilling
Petroleum
Petroleum in submerged lands
Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
American Oil for American Families Act of 2008 - Bans the export from the United States of petroleum extracted from public lands in the United States (including lands located on the outer continental shelf (OCS)), or a petroleum product produced from such petroleum. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Providing Real Outreach for Veterans Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3307
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Military personnel
Veterans' benefits

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Providing Real Outreach for Veterans Act of 2008 or PRO-VETS Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense for the transfer of data to the Secretary for providing members of the Armed Forces and veterans with individualized information concerning veterans' benefits that each member and veteran may be eligible for. Requires the Secretary, after receiving such data, to: (1) compile a list of all benefits for which each member or veteran may be eligible; (2) notify the member or veteran (or their legal representative) of such benefits; and (3) provide a second notification if the member or veteran does not apply for a listed benefit within 60 days, as well as annual notifications thereafter. Requires additional notifications based on changed circumstances. Allows each member or veteran the option to decline further notifications.
 
Directs the Secretary to use transferred data to reduce the amount of information that a member or veteran must provide when applying for benefits.
 
Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a member or veteran the opportunity to decline authorization for the transfer of information under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Veteran Voting Support Act

Bill: 110-s-3308
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Absentee voting
Ballots
Department of Veterans Affairs
Election administration
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Local officials
Nonprofit organizations
Social Welfare
State officials
Veterans' hospitals
Voter registration
Voting

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit a state to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in the state as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
 
Requires any VA facility designated as a voter registration agency to: (1) provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) make available absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assistance in completing them; and (3) work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of such applications and ballots.
 
Directs the Secretary to permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information and assistance at VA facilities.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from banning any election administration official, whether state or local, party-affiliated or non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from providing nonpartisan voting information to veterans at any VA facility.
 
Directs the Secretary to provide reasonable access to VA facilities to state and local election officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter registration services to individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-15
text: Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7141-7142)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the Mayor William "Bill" Sandberg Post Office Building.

Bill: 110-s-3309
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government Operations and Politics
Mayors
Minnesota
Names
Postal facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the Mayor William "Bill" Sandberg Post Office Building.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9607; text as passed Senate: CR S9607)
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9607; text as passed Senate: CR S9607)
action_date: 2008-09-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1062.
action_date: 2008-09-24
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2008-09-24
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide benefits under the Post-Development/Mobilization Respite Absence program for certain periods before the implementation of the program.

Bill: 110-s-3310
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military discharges
Military leave
Military pay

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide uncharged leave or a monetary benefit to any member or former member of the Armed Forces who, on any day beginning on January 19, 2007, and ending on the date of implementation of the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program, would have qualified for a day of administrative absence under such program had it been in effect. Makes such benefit: (1) an amount not to exceed $200 for each day, in the case of a former member; and (2) either one day of administrative absence or an amount not to exceed $200, in the case of a current member. Excludes from such benefit any members discharged or released under other than honorable conditions. Sets at 40 the maximum number of days for which such benefit may be provided.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act

Bill: 110-s-3311
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Community health services
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to health facilities
Government Operations and Politics
Health education
Higher education
Mental health services
Psychiatry
Public-private partnerships
School health programs

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on college and university campuses.
 
Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to programs that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need; (2) propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services; (3) target underserved and at-risk populations; (4) coordinate with a community mental health center or other community mental health resources; (5) identify how the college or university will address psychiatric emergencies; and (6) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination.
 
Allows the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees.
 
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on college campuses.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish the College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on college and university campuses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7151-7153)
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7150-7151)
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3312
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health surveys
Medical personnel
Medically uninsured
Social Welfare
Volunteer workers

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to activate the coverage of short-term emergency health care services if the Secretary determines that there is a public health emergency. Sets forth factors for the Secretary to consider, including the degree to which the emergency is likely to overwhelm health care providers in the region.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish a medical monitoring program for monitoring and reporting on the health care needs of the affected population over time.
 
Limits eligibility for coverage of emergency health care services to: (1) uninsured or underinsured emergency victims who need health care services due to injuries or disease resulting from the public health emergency; or (2) uninsured individuals residing in the affected area whose ability to access care or medicine is disrupted as a result of the emergency.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a streamlined process for determining eligibility for emergency health care services; (2) report to Congress on the number and adequacy of volunteers enrolled in the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) who will be available to each state in the event of a public health emergency; and (3) conduct an outreach and public education campaign to inform health care providers and the general public about the availability of emergency health care coverage during the period of the emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7153-7155)
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7153)
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Victims of Polygamy Assistance Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3313
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc.
Bigamy
Criminal investigation
Department of Justice
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Families
Federal aid to law enforcement
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Marriage
Prosecution
Public corruption
Social Welfare
Victims of crimes
Witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
Victims of Polygamy Assistance Act of 2008 - Establishes within the Department of Justice a Federal Polygamy Task Force to strengthen federal law enforcement activities and provide state and local law enforcement officials the assistance they need to address the illegal activity of one or more polygamist organizations. 
 
Requires the Federal Polygamy Task Force to: (1) formulate effective responses to the unique set of crimes committed by polygamist organizations; (2) establish partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies to share relevant information and strengthen state and federal efforts to combat crimes perpetrated by polygamist organizations; (3) assist states by providing strategies and support for the protection of witnesses; (4) track the criminal behavior of polygamist organizations that cross state and international borders; and (5) ensure that local officials charged with protecting the public are not corrupted because of financial, family, or membership ties to a polygamist organization.
 
Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime to make grants to specified entities to develop, establish, and maintain programs for the enforcement of rights and provision of social services for an individual exploited or otherwise victimized by practitioners of polygamy.
 
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for discretionary grants by the Attorney General to states and local governments to investigate and prosecute polygamist organizations that violate federal, state, or local laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7156)
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Video Game Rating Enforcement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-3315
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Child welfare
Computer software
Consumer protection
Families
Federal Trade Commission
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Labeling
Law
Lease and rental services
Packaging
Pornography
Restrictive trade practices
Retail trade
Science, Technology, Communications
Signs and signboards
Video games
Violence

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
Video Game Rating Enforcement Act of 2008 - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not contain an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).
 
Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system.
 
Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) &quot;adults only&quot; to any person under the age of 18; or (2) &quot;mature&quot; to any person under the age of 17.
 
Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate