hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Medicare Access to Critical Medications Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1887
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2007-07-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Convulsions
Drug therapy
Drugs
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Immunosuppressive drugs
Medicare
Mental depression
Prescription pricing
Social Welfare
Virus diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: 
Medicare Access to Critical Medications Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require prescription drug plan (PDP) formularies to include all or substantially all covered part D drugs in the therapeutic classes: (1) anticonvulsants; (2) antineoplastics; (3) antiretrovirals; (4) antidepressants; (5) antipsychotics; and (6) immunosuppressants.

Prohibits the application of a utilization management tool, such as prior authorization or step therapy, to such drugs in certain cases.

Prescribes requirements for treatment of such drugs when a determination or reconsideration is requested, as well as the treatment of appeals for such drugs.

Establishes data reporting requirements for such drug categories and classes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10157-10158)
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10156-10157)
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Korean War Veterans Recognition Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1888
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-07-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Armistices
Flags
History
Korean War, 1950-1953
Military history
Special days

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Korean War Veterans Recognition Act of 2007 - Adds National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27, to the list of days on which the flag of the United States should be displayed.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Flood Insurance Choice Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1890
Sponsor: Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS]
Introduced: 2007-07-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Building laws
Disaster insurance
Disaster relief
Finance and Financial Sector
Floods
Land use
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Urban affairs
Water Resources Development
Zoning and zoning law

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: 
Flood Insurance Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to permit an individual homeowner not to purchase property flood insurance, even for property in a special flood hazard area, if he or she submits certain written certifications to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state, community, or local official responsible for zoning and building codes.
 

 
Declares that such homeowner shall not be required to comply with certain base flood elevation requirements.
 
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with respect to land use controls, financial assistance and mitigation assistance, to shield from penalties for non-compliance those areas that have complied with its requirements but where individuals have opted out pursuant to this Act. 
 
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to deny assistance for individuals who have opted-out of the flood insurance program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide limited immunity for reports of suspected terrorist activity or suspicious behavior and response.

Bill: 110-s-1891
Sponsor: Sen. Salazar, Ken [D-CO]
Introduced: 2007-07-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Air piracy
Airline passenger traffic
Aviation safety
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Department of Transportation
Federal employees
Federal law enforcement officers
Federal officials
Government Operations and Politics
Government liability
Informers
Labor and Employment
Law enforcement officers
Liability (Law)
Marine safety
Mass rapid transit
Motor buses
Passenger ships
Railroad passenger traffic
Railroad safety
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation safety
Transportation workers

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: 
Grants immunity from civil liability to: (1) persons who, in good faith and based on an objectively reasonable suspicion, report suspicious activity involving or directed against a passenger transportation system, a threat to such system or to passenger safety or security, or an act of terrorism; and (2) passenger transportation security system employees or agents and other federal employees with transportation security responsibilities who take reasonable actions, in good faith, to respond to reported threats.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Support for Injured Servicemembers Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1894
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2007-07-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Caregivers
Families
Family leave
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Iraq compilation
Leave of absence
Military dependents
Military medicine
Sick leave
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: 
Support for Injured Servicemembers Act of 2007 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle an eligible employee to a combined total of 26 workweeks of leave, during any 12-month period, to care for a member of the U.S. Armed Forces with a combat-related injury (servicemember), if such employee is the servicemember's primary caregiver.
 
Provides for the substitution of accrued paid vacation, personal, or family leave for any part of the 26-week period.
 
Amends federal civil service law to entitle civilian federal employees to the same leave allowance. Provides for the substitution of accrued paid annual or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10190-10191)
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Prescribe A Book Act

Bill: 110-s-1895
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Books
Child health
Economics and Public Finance
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Federal aid to child health services
Federal aid to education
Grants-in-aid
Health
Nonprofit organizations
Parent and child
Reading
Social Welfare
Volunteer workers

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
Prescribe A Book Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a Pediatric Early Literacy program under which the Secretary of Education awards matching grants to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of three-part models through which: (1) health care providers encourage parents to read aloud to their children and offer them recommendations and strategies for doing so; (2) health care providers give each visiting child between the ages of six months and five-years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep; and (3) volunteers reading to children in health care facility waiting areas show parents the techniques and pleasures of reading aloud to children.
 
Requires that the books provided to children under the program be obtained at a discount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10315-10316)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10315)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to allow for expanded uses of funding allocated to Louisiana under the hazard mitigation program while preserving the goals of the program to reduce future damage from disasters through mitigation.

Bill: 110-s-1897
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Cost effectiveness
Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Finance and Financial Sector
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Hurricanes
Louisiana

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from barring the use by Louisiana under its Road Home Program of specified amounts provided under FEMA's hazard mitigation grant program because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita based upon the existence of a Program requirement that: (1) limits the amount made available to an eligible homeowner who does not agree to remain an owner and occupant of a home in Louisiana; or (2) waives the applicability of such limitation for homeowners who are elderly or senior citizens. 

Directs the Administrator to implement mechanisms to simplify the expedited distribution of such funds, including: (1) creating a programmatic cost-benefit analysis to provide a means of conducting cost-benefit analysis by project type and geographic factors rather than on a structure-by-structure basis; and (2) developing a streamlined environmental review process to significantly speed the approval of project applications.

Requires the President to waive requirements regarding minimum project criteria under the Hazard Mitigation Program Grant and regarding the payment of claims or specify alternative requirements if requested by Louisiana to facilitate the timely use of funds or a guarantee provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Prohibits the President from waiving any requirement relating to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, or the environment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Family and Medical Leave Act

Bill: 110-s-1898
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces reserves
Caregivers
Families
Family leave
Health
Iraq compilation
Military dependents
Military medicine
National Guard
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
Military Family and Medical Leave Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle an eligible employee to up to 26 workweeks of leave during a 12-month period to care for a covered service member who is the employee's spouse, son, daughter, or parent.
 
Defines covered service member as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or is otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, for a serious injury or illness.
 
Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the availability of such leave during any other 12-month period.
 
Provides for the substitution of accrued paid vacation, personal, or family leave for any part of the 26-week period. Limits a husband and wife both working for the same employer to such 26 weeks altogether during a single 12-month period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10316-10317)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Universal Health Coverage Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1899
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Excise tax
Finance and Financial Sector
Health insurance
Insurance premiums
Medically uninsured
Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
Universal Health Coverage Act of 2007 - Requires each U.S. citizen or national or alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence to have qualified health coverage, unless such individual is opposed for religious reasons to health coverage. Defines &quot;qualified health coverage&quot; to include federal health plans, group health plans, and other appropriate coverage.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop at least three types of low-cost health insurance plans for each state and the District of Columbia that shall be made available, on a guaranteed-issue basis, to all individuals with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty line.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on each individual who is required but fails to have qualified health coverage for any continuous period of more than 60 days a monthly tax in an amount equal to the average monthly premium for qualified health coverage in the state in which the individual resides. Requires amounts collected to be used by the Secretary to cover the cost of a automatically enrolling individuals who pay such tax in health care coverage under one of the three lowest cost qualified health coverage products offered in the state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10722)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10317)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize appropriations for the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

Bill: 110-s-1900
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Authorization
Decision making
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental assessment
Foundations
Government Operations and Politics
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
Amends the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to authorize the appropriation to the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund for FY2008-FY2012 of such sums as may be necessary for operating costs of the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10317-10318)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Lake Traverse Reservation Heirship Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1901
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Estates (Law)
Indian lands
Land transfers
Law
Minorities
South Dakota

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
Lake Traverse Reservation Heirship Act of 2007 - Amends federal Indian law to provide for the inheritance of small fractional interests within the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
BRAC Cost Overruns Protection Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1902
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2007-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Defense budgets
Economics and Public Finance
Military base closures

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: 
BRAC Cost Overruns Protection Act of 2007 or BRAC COP Act of 2007 - Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on the costs of implementing recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission that relate to military base closures and realignments that have not been fully implemented. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify such committees if the Secretary determines that the current estimate of implementation costs for an individual major base closure or realignment is at least 25% greater than the baseline estimate for such closure or realignment; and (2) develop a business plan to reduce the costs of any individual substantially over-budget major base closure or realignment to a level less than 25% greater than its baseline estimate.
 
Directs the: (1) Secretary to submit to the President a recommendation regarding whether to continue implementation of a substantially over-budget major base closure or realignment; and (2) President to report to Congress regarding the implementation of such a closure or realignment.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from continuing or discontinuing the implementation of a substantially over-budget major closure or realignment recommended by the President if a joint resolution disapproving the President's recommendation is enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10318)
action_date: 2007-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the temporary protected status designation of Liberia under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act so that Liberians can continue to be eligible for such status through September 30, 2008.

Bill: 110-s-1903
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2007-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Alien labor
Aliens
Deportation
Labor and Employment
Liberia
Refugees

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: 
Extends the designation of Liberia under the Immigration and Nationality Act as a country whose nationals are eligible for temporary protected status and work authorization in the United States.
 
Sets forth eligibility requirements for Liberian nationals or for persons having no nationality whose last habitual residence was Liberia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10874)
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to ensure that only producers receive commodity program payments.

Bill: 110-s-1904
Sponsor: Sen. Salazar, Ken [D-CO]
Introduced: 2007-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Acreage allotments
Agricultural subsidies
Auditing
Farms
Finance and Financial Sector
Housing and Community Development
Land subdivision
Real estate development

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: 
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to permanently reduce base acres for land that: (1) has been developed for commercial or industrial use; (2) has been subdivided and developed into multiple residential units or other nonfarming uses; or (3) is no longer intended for farm use.
 
Includes within a producer agreement for direct or counter-cyclical payments prohibitions against the land: (1) being in residential use (including land subdivided and developed into residential units or other nonfarming uses); or (2) no longer being intended for farm use.
 
Requires: (1) Farm Service Agency certification of an agreement; and (2) annual audits of direct and counter-cyclical payments and base acreage by the Secretary. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1905
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2007-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Political conventions
Presidential elections
Primaries

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: 
Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 2007 - Divides the United States into four regions of specified states (including the District of Columbia) for holding presidential primaries in each presidential election year. Requires four successive presidential primaries in each such year, to be held during the period beginning on the first Tuesday of March, April, May, and June and ending on the sixth day following such Tuesday.
 
Directs the Election Assistance Commission to establish procedures for the conduct of a lottery by March 1, 2010, to select which of four regions will hold the first primary. 
 
Sets forth a rule for subsequent election cycles.
 
Provides that, in the case where a state elects to select delegates to a political party's national presidential nominating convention through a caucus, the state shall hold a caucus during the period in which its region is scheduled to hold a primary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-19
text: Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held.
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act

Bill: 110-s-1906
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2007-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alcoholism
Dental care
Dentists
Drug abuse
Drug abuse prevention
Drug abuse treatment
Drug addiction
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Federal aid to Indians
Federal aid to health facilities
Health education
Higher education
Indian medical care
Medical education
Medical research
Methamphetamine
Minorities
Paramedical personnel
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: 
Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act - Requires the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to make grants to enable public and private nonprofit entities to determine whether educating youth about meth mouth (oral decay that is commonly associated with methamphetamine use) is an effective strategy for preventing or reducing methamphetamine use. Reserves a portion of appropriated funds for Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify the clinical research, health services research, and public health research on associations between substance use disorders, oral health, and the provision of dental care.

Requires the Secretary to study the effect methamphetamine use has on the demand for, and provision of, dental care.

Directs the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support training and offer technical assistance to ensure that dentists and allied dental personnel are prepared to: (1) recognize signs of alcohol or drug addiction; (2) discuss the nature of substance abuse as it relates to their area of expertise; (3) understand how certain dental therapies can affect the relapse potential of substance dependent patients; and (4) help those affected by a substance use disorder find appropriate treatment for their conditions.

Authorizes the Administrator to collaborate with professional accrediting bodies to develop and support substance abuse training courses for oral health professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate