hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to modify the conditions for the release of products from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve Account, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6473
Sponsor: Rep. Hodes, Paul W. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2008-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Energy assistance for the poor
Energy efficiency
Energy prices
Energy supplies
Heating
Housing and Community Development
Northeastern States
Petroleum reserves
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: 
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise requirements for the sale by the Secretary of Energy of products from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to sell from the Reserve if the President finds that: (1) there is a severe energy supply interruption (as under existing law); or (2) the price of home heating oil threatens the health and safety of residents of the Northeast.
 
Requires the Secretary to sell specified percentages of the quantity of products in the Reserve as of November 1 of a fiscal year if the President finds that, on successive monthly winter dates of the same fiscal year, the average retail price of No.2 heating oil in the Northeast is equal to or more than $4.00 per gallon.
 
Requires the Secretary to use: (1) half of any revenue derived from such sales to provide assistance to low-income consumers of heating oil under the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons of the Energy Conservation and Production Act; and (2) half to provide any additional home energy assistance needs of one or more state arising from a natural disaster or other emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
To designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6476
Sponsor: Rep. Roskam, Peter J. [R-IL-6]
Introduced: 2008-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to transportation
Metropolitan areas
Railroad commuting traffic
Railroad engineering
Right-of-way
Traffic congestion
Urban affairs
Urban economic development
Urban transportation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: 
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2008-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
To repeal a limitation in the Labor-Management Relations Act regarding requirements for labor organization membership as a condition of employment.

Bill: 110-hr-6477
Sponsor: Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-27]
Introduced: 2008-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Federal preemption
Federal-state relations
Federal-territorial relations
Government Operations and Politics
Industrial relations
Labor contracts
Labor unions
State laws

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: 
Amends the Labor-Management Relations Act to repeal the disclaimer that nothing in the law shall be construed as authorizing the execution or application of agreements requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment in any state or territory in which such execution or application is prohibited by state or territorial law.
 
(Thus preempts contrary state or territorial law to allow the execution or application of agreements requiring union membership.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6202)
San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Establishment Act

Bill: 110-hr-6479
Sponsor: Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2008-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animals
California
Urban affairs
Urban ecology
Wildlife refuges

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: 
San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Establishment Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Refuge Complex) as an urban ecosystem wildlife refuge and to publish notice of its establishment in the Federal Register. Establishes boundaries for the Refuge Complex and authorizes the Secretary to make corrections to its boundaries. 

Repeals Public Law 92-330 (providing for the establishment of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge) as of the date on which the Secretary publishes notice of the establishment of the Refuge Complex in the Federal Register. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1430-1431)
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6480
Sponsor: Rep. Watson, Diane E. [D-CA-33]
Introduced: 2008-07-10 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Cultural relations
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to the arts and humanities
Motion pictures
Nongovernmental organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: 
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote better understanding of the United States abroad and better understanding of global perspectives and other countries in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
Avena Case Implementation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6481
Sponsor: Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Aliens
Civil actions and liability
Consular agreements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal aliens
Criminal investigation
Embassies
Government liability
Injunctions
International Affairs
Pretrial procedure
Privileges and immunities
Prosecution
Sentences (Criminal procedure)

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Avena Case Implementation Act of 2008 - Authorizes a person whose rights are infringed by a nonforeign governmental authority's violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to bring a civil action to obtain: (1) declaratory or equitable relief; and (2) in any case where the plaintiff is convicted of a criminal offense where the violation occurs during and in relation to the investigation or prosecution of the offense, any relief required to remedy the harm done by the violation, including vitiation of conviction or sentence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish both a process by which asset-backed instruments can be deemed eligible for NRSRO ratings and an initial list of such eligible asset-backed instruments.

Bill: 110-hr-6482
Sponsor: Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Business records
Commerce
Derivative securities
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Independent regulatory commissions
Information disclosure (Securities law)
Law
Loan defaults
Risk
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities industry
Securities regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise regulations relating to &quot;asset-backed securities&quot; to define an &quot;NRSRO asset-backed securities&quot; subset, which shall: (1) be the only asset-backed securities for which a credit rating agency may register and issue ratings as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO); and (2) be restricted to securities representing interests in pools of assets whose performance can be evaluated based on a documented history of predictable performance of similar assets, and which are contained in structures which also have a documented history of predictable performance.
 
 Requires the revision of such regulations to include a list of the classes of securities approved as NRSRO asset-backed securities.
 
Prescribes an approval process for NRSRO asset-backed securities classes, including approval standards.
 
Requires an NRSRO to: (1) review annually all ratings issued and outstanding in obligor categories for which it has registered; (2) formally affirm, upgrade, downgrade, or remove ratings based on such review; and (3) provide the SEC with full access to models, documentation, assumptions and performance data upon request, answer all questions posed by the SEC, and cooperate with any SEC investigation.
 
Directs the SEC to determine whether ratings are issued with the expectation of meeting aggregate historical loss and default standards for given ratings levels across all categories for which a credit rating agency has registered. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
Recreational Performance Outerwear Apparel Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6483
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Clothing
Commerce
Economics and Public Finance
Fees
Government trust funds
International competitiveness
Outdoor recreation
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Sports and Recreation
Tariff
Textile fabrics
Textile industry

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Recreational Performance Outerwear Apparel Act of 2008 - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain recreational performance outerwear.
 
Establishes the Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research Fund (STAR Fund). 
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) impose and collect, with specified exceptions, a fee of 1.5% of the appraised value of imported recreational performance outerwear and to deposit amounts collected into the STAR Fund; and (2) make quarterly distributions from the STAR Fund to one or more appropriate organizations to conduct applied research, development, and education activities to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in clean, eco-friendly apparel, other textile and apparel products, and sewn-product design and manufacturing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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: 2008-07-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1451)
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
To provide for a study of measures to achieve energy independence for the United States without adversely affecting the environment.

Bill: 110-hr-6484
Sponsor: Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-8]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Energy security
Environmental Protection
Environmental degradation
Governmental investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of what measures the United States can take, including what research needs to be undertaken, in order to achieve energy independence without adversely affecting the environment.

Requires a report to Congress on the results of the study.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
Timely Due Process for the Disabled Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6485
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-11]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Disability evaluation
Disabled
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Old age, survivors and disability insurance
Social security eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Timley Due Process for the Disabled Act of 2008 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) establish time frames, within specified limits, to ensure timely disability determinations; and (2) establish a program for the monitoring of disability determinations in reconsideration. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1451)
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
Drug Testing Integrity Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6486
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Commerce
Drug abuse
Drug testing
Fraud
Restrictive trade practices

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Drug Testing Integrity Act of 2008 - Makes it unlawful to knowingly manufacture, market, sell, ship, or otherwise provide to another individual any product with the intent to assist such individual to use such product to defraud a drug test. Defines &quot;defraud a drug test&quot; to mean to: (1) submit a substance that purports to be from an individual other than its actual source, or purports to have been excreted or collected other than when it was actually excreted or collected; or (2) engage in any other conduct with the intent to produce a false or misleading outcome of a test for the presence of a controlled substance.
 
Grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement powers as a violation of an unfair or deceptive act or practice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6487
Sponsor: Rep. Giffords, Gabrielle [D-AZ-8]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Diesel motor
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Excise tax
Fuel
Government trust funds
Highway finance
Tax rates
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on diesel fuel for a specified period ending on December 31, 2008. Provides for reimbusement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from this reduction in diesel fuel taxes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a final consumer product safety rule banning novelty lighters.

Bill: 110-hr-6488
Sponsor: Rep. Hooley, Darlene [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Cigarettes
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Defective products
Equipment and supplies
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Law
Product safety

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to declare any novelty lighter to be a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act and promulgate a final consumer product safety rule to carry out this Act. Defines &quot;novelty lighter&quot; as a mechanical or electrical device that is typically used to light cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, is designed to appear to be a toy (such as by flashing lights or making sounds), and contains such other factors as the CPSC may determine.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 4th Street in Lake Oswego, Oregon, as the "Judie Hammerstad Post Office Building".

Bill: 110-hr-6489
Sponsor: Rep. Hooley, Darlene [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government Operations and Politics
Mayors
Names
Oregon
Postal facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 4th Street in Lake Oswego, Oregon, as the "Judie Hammerstad Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H10212)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H10212)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10212)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Mr. Clay asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
Promoting the Safe Use of the Internet by Students Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6490
Sponsor: Rep. Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. [R-NY-29]
Introduced: 2008-07-14 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child safety
Child sexual abuse
Crime and Law Enforcement
Economics and Public Finance
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Families
Federal aid to education
Internet
Parent and child
Pornography
Science, Technology, Communications
Secondary education
Social networks
Web sites

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: 
Promoting the Safe Use of the Internet by Students Act of 2008 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow local educational agencies to use state subgrants under the Enhancing Education through Technology program and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program to develop and implement programs promoting safe internet use by students.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Introduced in House