hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Group Health Plan Prosthetics Parity Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-5615
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Administrative remedies
Auditing
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Coinsurance
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Labor
Discrimination in insurance
Discrimination in medical care
Employee health benefits
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health insurance
Labor and Employment
Law
Medical economics
Prosthesis
Quality of care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Group Health Plan Prosthetics Parity Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and benefits for prosthetic devices and components to provide prosthetics coverage under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than those applicable to substantially all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan.

Prohibits the prosthetics benefit from being subject to separate or more restrictive financial requirements or more restrictive treatment limitations.

Applies the requirements of this Act separately with respect to in-network and out-of-network benefits.

Requires a group health plan to apply the same prior authorization requirements to the prosthetics benefit as apply for all similar benefits under the plan.

Limits the required prosthetics benefit to the most appropriate model that adequately meets the medical requirements of the patient. Includes repair or replacement of prosthetic devices and components within such coverage.

Prohibits a group health plan from imposing any annual or lifetime dollar limitation on the prosthetics benefit that is not applied in the aggregate to all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan.

Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) assist participants and beneficiaries with any questions or problems regarding compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (2) conduct random audits of group health plans to ensure compliance.

Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate the effects of this Act, including on the cost of and access to heath insurance coverage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act

Bill: 110-hr-5616
Sponsor: Rep. Bachmann, Michele [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air pollution control
Carbon dioxide
Child safety
Commerce
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Day care
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Energy efficiency
Environmental Protection
Families
Finance and Financial Sector
Health
Hospitals
Lighting
Mental care facilities
Mercury
Nursing homes
School buildings
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions concerning energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, other designated lamps, and incandescent reflector lamps unless the Comptroller General has transmitted to Congress within six months after this Act's enactment a report that finds that: (1) consumers will obtain a net savings, in terms of dollars spent on monthly electric bills and expenses for new light fixtures to accommodate the use of the light bulbs required by such provisions, compared to dollars spent before their enactment; (2) the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs required by such provisions will reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in the United States by 2025; and (3) such phase-out will not pose any health risks, including risks associated with mercury containment in certain light bulbs, to consumers or the general public, including health risks with respect to hospitals, schools, day care centers, mental health facilities, and nursing homes.

Requires the report to include monthly and yearly projections of expenses for electric bills and new light fixtures for January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Political Intelligence Disclosure Act

Bill: 110-hr-5617
Sponsor: Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Business intelligence
Commerce
Congress
Consultants
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign corporations
Government paperwork
Information disclosure (Securities law)
Law
Legislation
Lobbying
Securities industry

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Political Intelligence Disclosure Act - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities.
 
Requires political intelligence consultants to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and make quarterly reports on political intelligence activities.
 
Requires any person or entity that makes an oral political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official on the official's request to: (1) state whether such person or entity is registered under this Act; (2) identify the client on behalf of whom the contact is made; and (3) state whether such client is a foreign entity, and make any related disclosures.
 
Requires any person making a written political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official to make similar disclosures, especially about clients considered foreign entities.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5619
Sponsor: Rep. Boucher, Rick [D-VA-9]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Chemicals
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Law
Methamphetamine
Negligence

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to require all regulated retail sellers of certain listed chemical products used to make methamphetamine to submit self-certifications of compliance with the requirements of such Act to the Attorney General.

Requires the Attorney General to develop a list of all self-certified individuals and make it publicly available on the website of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

 Prohibits distributors of listed chemical products from selling such products to individuals not currently registered with the DEA. 

Impose civil penalties for negligent failure to self-certify as required by this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend concurrent receipt authority to members and former members of the uniformed services who are entitled to voluntary separation incentive payments and are also entitled to veterans' disability compensation.

Bill: 110-hr-5621
Sponsor: Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disabled
Labor and Employment
Military discharges
Military pay
Military pensions
Military personnel
Severance pay
Veterans' disability compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Provides for the concurrent payment of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for disabilities rated at 50% or higher for a member or former member of the Armed Forces entitled to voluntary separation incentive payments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act

Bill: 110-hr-5622
Sponsor: Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Government service contracts
Health
Hospital care
Standards
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot program to ensure that, for each veteran seeking primary care from a participating medical facility, the standard for access to such care, determined from the date that the veteran contacts the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking an appointment until a visit with a primary-care provider is completed, is 30 days.
 
Directs the Secretary to periodically review the performance of VA health-care facilities in meeting such standards. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for health care services in non-VA facilities when the Secretary is unable to meet access standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Department of Veterans Affairs Prosthetics Employees Standards Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-5623
Sponsor: Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accreditation (Medical care)
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Health
Law
Licenses
Medical personnel
Prosthesis
Quality of care
State laws
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Department of Veterans Affairs Prosthetics Employees Standards Act of 2007- Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to require that an individual may perform orthotics, pedorthics, or prosthetics services for patients of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as an employee of the VA, or as an employee of a contractor of the VA, at a work site in which there is a state licensure requirement applicable to the performance of such services in private practice only if the individual is licensed in accordance with such state requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide for a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Bill: 110-hr-5625
Sponsor: Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Housing and Community Development
Mortgages
Single family housing
Veterans' loans

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
 Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide a temporary increase, during the period beginning February 13, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2008, in the maximum veterans' loan guaranty amount for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Protect Our Troops and Our Constitution Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5626
Sponsor: Rep. Delahunt, William D. [D-MA-10]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
Armed forces abroad
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive relations
Crime and Law Enforcement
Diplomacy
Europe
Government Operations and Politics
International Affairs
International military forces
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Law
Legislation
Middle East and North Africa
Military agreements
Military bases
Military occupation
Military operations
President and foreign policy
Privileges and immunities
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Turkey
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Protect Our Troops and Our Constitution Act of 2008 - Prohibits funds from being used to: (1) establish or maintain any permanent or long-term U.S. military base or facility in Iraq; or (2) implement any agreement that is consistent with U.S. security commitments to Iraq under the Declaration of Principles or any agreement that provides &quot;authority to fight&quot; for U.S. Armed Forces engaged in combat operations other than for self-defense purposes, unless the agreement is an Article II treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification or the agreement is approved by an Act of Congress enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) long-term U.S.-Iraq relations should be determined by the U.S. Administration taking office on January 20, 2009; (2) in determining its policy toward Iraq such Administration should consult with Congress, the government of Iraq, Coalition partners, and Iraq's neighbors; and (3) to maintain international legal authority as well as immunity from Iraqi prosecution for U.S. Armed Forces and other Coalition forces operating in Iraq while such Administration determines policy toward Iraq the current U.S. Administration should encourage the government of Iraq to request renewal of the U.N. mandate for Iraq beyond December 31, 2008.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
To award the congressional gold medal to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, in recognition of his courageous and unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights in Cuba.

Bill: 110-hr-5627
Sponsor: Rep. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [R-FL-21]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Caribbean area
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congressional gold medals
Cuba
Democracy
Dissenters
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
International Affairs
Latin America
Political prisoners

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation on behalf of the Congress of a gold medal to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet in recognition of his courageous and unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights in Cuba.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Make Provisional Ballots Count Act 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5628
Sponsor: Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Ballots
Congress
Congressional elections
Election administration
Presidential elections
Voter registration
Voting

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Make Provisional Ballots Count Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) permit same-day voter re-registration at polling places on the date of election for individuals permitted to cast provisional ballots; and (2) require counting of provisional ballots cast by individuals determined to be registered to vote in the state or the congressional district, as appropriate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
Innovation Employment Act

Bill: 110-hr-5630
Sponsor: Rep. Giffords, Gabrielle [D-AZ-8]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Admission of nonimmigrants
Advertising
Alien labor
Aliens
Education
Engineering
Engineers
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Law
Mathematics
Recruiting of employees
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientific education
Scientists
Skilled labor
Technical education
Temporary employment
Visas
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Innovation Employment Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the annual H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) cap from 65,000 to 130,000 starting in FY2008. 
 
Provides that for FY2010-FY2015 if the cap has been reached in the prior year the current cap would increase to the greater of 180,000 and the limitation applicable for the previous year increased by 20% percent.
 
Exempts from H-1B caps an alien who has earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such education as a condition for employment. 
 
Establishes a 20,000 annual cap for aliens who earned a master's or higher degree from an institution of higher education outside of the United States in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such education as a condition for employment. 
 
Revises H-1B provisions to: (1) require an employer to provide specified job information in the employment advertisement; (2) authorize the Secretary of Labor to initiate an H-1B employer investigation; (3) increase employer penalties; and (4) provide whistleblower protections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit the importation of certain low-level radioactive waste into the United States.

Bill: 110-hr-5632
Sponsor: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]
Introduced: 2008-03-13 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Environmental Protection
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Import restrictions
Law
Licenses
Radioactive wastes

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: 
Amends Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from issuing a license authorizing the importation into the United States of: (1) low-level radioactive waste; or (2) specific radioactive waste streams exempted from regulation under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act.
 
Exempts from such prohibition low-level radioactive waste: (1) that is being returned to a U.S. government or military facility authorized to possess it; or (2) resulting from the use in a foreign country of nuclear material obtained by the foreign user from an entity in the United States that is being returned to the United States for management and disposal.
 
Authorizes the President to waive the prohibition and authorize the grant of a specific license only after finding that such importation would meet an important national or international policy goal.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-20
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2008-03-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Introduced in House