hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1589
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Income tax credits
Motor fuels
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel used as fuel to: (1) allow a $1.00 tax credit for each gallon of biodiesel produced; (2) provide for an increased income tax credit for small biodiesel producers; (3) revise the definitions of &quot;biodiesel&quot; and &quot;small biodiesel producer&quot;; (4) treat renewable diesel in the same manner as biodiesel for income tax purposes; and (5) treat biodiesel as a taxable fuel for excise tax purposes. Extends the biodiesel income and excise tax credits through December 31, 2014.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9000-9001)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8999-9000)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish a clean energy technology business competition grant program.

Bill: 111-s-1590
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Energy efficiency and conservation
Small business
Solid waste and recycling
Tax-exempt organizations
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to organizations to conduct business competitions that provide incentives, training, and mentorship to entrepreneurs and early stage startup companies throughout the United States to meet high priority economic, environmental, and energy security goals in areas including energy efficiency, renewable energy, air quality, water quality and conservation, transportation, smart grid, green buildings, and waste management.
 
Grants priority to such competitions that: (1) are led by the private sector; (2) encourage regional and interregional cooperation; and (3) can demonstrate the creation of cost-effective green jobs through an annual publication of competition activities and directory of companies.
 
Requires an organization, to be eligible for such a grant, to be a tax-exempt, charitable organization, or any sponsored entity of such organization that is operated as a nonprofit entity. Directs the Secretary to give priority to organizations that can demonstrate broad funding support from private and other non-federal funding sources to leverage federal investment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
21st Century Global Health Technology Act

Bill: 111-s-1591
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Child health
Foreign aid and international relief
HIV/AIDS
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Research and development
Women's health
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
21st Century Global Health Technology Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the Health Technology Program which shall: (1) coordinate and lead research and development efforts; (2) be funded by USAID on a competitive basis; and (3) serve as a national laboratory and technology development program for global health.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9002)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9001-9002)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Board of Certification Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1592
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Credit and credit markets
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Housing finance and home ownership
Marketing and advertising
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Federal Board of Certification Act of 2009 - Establishes a Federal Board of Certification to certify that the mortgages within a security instrument meet the underlying standards they claim to meet with regards to such mortgage characteristics as: (1) documentation; (2) loan to value ratios; (3) debt service to income ratios; and (4) borrower credit standards and geographic concentration. States that the purpose of this certification process is to increase the transparency, predictability, and reliability of securitized mortgage products.
 
Authorizes market participants, including firms that package mortgage loans into mortgage securities, to elect to have their mortgage securities evaluated by the Board.
 
Authorizes the Board to: (1) promulgate regulations establishing enumerated security standards to use in certifying mortgage securities; (2) establish uniform principles and standards and report forms for the regular examination of such securities; and (3) develop uniform reporting systems for ascertaining mortgage security risk.
 
Grants the Board access to all books, accounts, records, reports, files, memorandums, papers, things, and property belonging to or in use by federal financial institutions regulatory agencies.
 
Requires any publication, transmission, or webpage containing an advertisement for or invitation to buy a mortgage security to carry a disclaimer that certification by the Federal Board of Certification can in no way be considered a guarantee of the mortgage security, but is merely a judgment of the degree of risk offered by the security in question.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9003-9004)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9002-9003)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act

Bill: 111-s-1594
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Smuggling and trafficking

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act - Sets forth provisions regarding procedures and standards applicable to aliens detained in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody and the conditions of such custody which shall address: (1) new detention standards; (2) fair and humane treatment; (3) solitary confinement limitations; (4) investigation of grievances; (5) access to telephones and legal assistance; (6) detainee transfers; (7) translation capabilities; (8) medical care; (9) vulnerable populations; (10) standards for non-criminal detainees; (11) personnel training; and (12) reporting of detainee deaths.
 
Establishes in DHS: (1) an Office of Detention Oversight; and (2) a detention alternatives program under which detainees may be released under enhanced supervision.
 
Provides for: (1) legal orientation for immigration and asylum detainees; (2) construction or use of less restrictive detention facilities, including facilities for families with children; and (3) quality assurance procedures regarding expedited removal interviews.
 
Authorizes the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to study the effect of expedited removal provisions, practices, and procedures on asylum claims.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Deceptive Loan Check Elimination Act

Bill: 111-s-1595
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Consumer credit
Federal Reserve System

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Deceptive Loan Check Elimination Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to prohibit a person from extending any consumer credit through the use by the consumer of a check or other negotiable instrument sent by the creditor to solicit an extension of consumer credit, unless the consumer has requested it in writing.
 
States that a nonnegotiable instrument that has the appearance of a negotiable instrument in connection with a solicitation for an extension of credit is not an application or request for purposes of this Act.
 
Shields a consumer from liability for: (1) the principal amount of a negotiable instrument sent in violation of this Act; or (2) any interest, fee, or penalty charged in connection with such negotiable instrument.
 
 Prohibits any information relating to the liability of a consumer alleged by a creditor to have been established through a negotiable instrument sent in violation of this Act from being either reported to or received by any consumer reporting agency, or from being included in any consumer report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9004)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1598
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Elementary and secondary education
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Personnel records
Preschool education
Right of privacy
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009 - Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) establish policies and procedures for a program for national criminal history background checks for child-serving organizations; (2) assist such organizations in obtaining access to nationwide background checks; (3) establish procedures for insuring the accuracy of criminal history records; (4) identify individuals convicted of serious misdemeanors or felonies involving children; and (5) collect demographic data relating to individuals and organizations covered by this Act and make reports to Congress on such data.
 
Limits the liability of a child-serving organization for failure to conduct criminal background checks or to take adverse action against employees with a criminal history. Imposes limitations on the disclosure or use of criminal history records.
 
Amends the PROTECT Act to provide for an extension of the Child Safety Pilot Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the release of water from the marketable yield pool of water stored in the Ruedi Reservoir for the benefit of endangered fish habitat in the Colorado River, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1601
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Colorado
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fishes
Lakes and rivers
Water storage
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Requires the release of 5,412.5 acre-feet of water from the marketable yield pool (the portion of the regulatory capacity that is dedicated to marketing purposes) of water stored in the Ruedi Reservoir (a component of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project of the Bureau of Land Management [BLM] in western Colorado) for the benefit of endangered fish habitat in the Colorado River for FY2013 and each fiscal year thereafter, at the request of the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Requires such release during the late summer months to enhance low water flows in areas that comprise the endangered fish habitat in the Colorado River, unless otherwise requested by the Director. 
 
Provides that the release shall satisfy 50% of the obligation of certain water users to provide 10,825 acre-feet of water, as described in the document entitled "Final Programmatic Biological Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation's Operations and Depletions, Other Depletions, and Funding and Implementation of Recovery Program Actions in the Upper Colorado River above the Confluence with the Gunnison River."
 
Makes this Act effective on the date on which the Secretary of the Interior complies with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 regarding such release.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9006-9007)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9006)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that excess oil and gas lease revenues are distributed in accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1602
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Colorado
Energy revenues and royalties
Land use and conservation
Mining
Oil and gas
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Amends federal law governing the treatment of oil shale receipts from oil exploration and development on certain public domain lands in Colorado.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer certain moneys deposited in the Treasury to the state of Colorado for specified allocations among Garfield, Rio Blanco, Moffatt, and Mesa Counties to mitigate the effects of oil and gas development activities within them.
 
States that the funds provided to such counties shall not be considered for the purpose of calculating federal payments to the counties for entitlement land owned by the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9007)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9007)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1603
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Military personnel and dependents
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2009 or the VETS Act of 2009 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to refund to students the tuition and fees paid for education they will not receive due to their withdrawal from school to serve in the Armed Forces.
 
Waives the application of any requirement that students return title IV funds upon withdrawing from school to students whose withdrawal is necessitated by service in the Armed Forces.
 
Provides loan forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan, Direct Loan, and Perkins Loan programs to students whose withdrawal from school is necessitated by service in the Armed Forces.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Americans Giving care to Elders (AGE) Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1604
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adult day care
Aging
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Americans Giving care to Elders (AGE) Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow caregivers a tax credit for up to $6,000 of the eldercare expenses incurred for their parents (or ancestors of such parents).
 
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to: (1) increase funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program through FY2013; and (2) establish a National Resource Center on Family Caregiving to provide information on and support for family caregiver support programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the rules relating to fractional charitable donations of tangible personal property.

Bill: 111-s-1605
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax deductions
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the tax deduction for donations of fractional interests in tangible personal property to: (1) permit donors to claim an increased deduction based upon the market value of subsequent gifts of fractional interests; (2) extend to 20 years the period in which donors of fractional interests must contribute their entire interest in donated property; and (3) require donors of fractional interests greater than $1 million to attach a statement of value obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to their tax returns. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1606
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural trade
Civil actions and liability
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Department of Commerce
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Jurisdiction and venue
Manufacturing
Product safety and quality
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to jurisdiction of courts in the United States over foreign manufacturers that import products into the United States.
 
Directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (with respect to drugs, devices, cosmetics, and biological products), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (with respect to consumer products), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (with respect to chemical substances, new chemical substances, and pesticides) to require foreign manufacturers and producers of such products (or components used to manufacture them), in excess of a minimum value or quantity, to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on their behalf for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts. Requires the registered agent to be located in a state with a substantial connection to the importation, distribution, or sale of the products. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, maintain, and make available to the public a registry of such agents.
 
Deems a foreign manufacturer or producer of products covered under this Act that registers an agent to consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state or federal courts of the state in which the agent is located for the purpose of any civil or regulatory proceeding.
 
Prohibits importation into the United States of a covered product (or component part that will be used in the United States to manufacture a covered product) if the product (or component part) or any part of the product (or component part) was manufactured or produced outside the United States by a manufacturer or producer who does not have a registered agent whose authority is in effect on the date of the importation.
 
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to jointly study the feasibility and advisability of requiring foreign producers of food distributed in commerce to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of such producers for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts.
 
 

 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9007-9008)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Wounded Veteran Job Security Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1607
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2009-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Health care costs and insurance
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: 
Wounded Veteran Job Security Act of 2009 - Entitles a person who is absent from employment by reason of the receipt of medical treatment for a service-connected disability (absent employee) to: (1) be retained by the person's employer; (2) the seniority and other rights and benefits determined by seniority that the person had on the commencement of such treatment plus the additional seniority and rights and benefits that the person would have attained if the person had remained continuously employed; and (3) be considered on furlough or leave of absence during such treatment and therefore entitled to other rights and benefits not determined by seniority as are other persons of similar seniority, status, and pay who are on furlough or leave of absence. Terminates such entitlement when a person knowingly provides written notice of the intent not to return to such position following treatment.
 
Allows the absent employee to use any vacation, annual, medical, or similar leave with pay accrued before the commencement of the treatment.
 
Provides that an employer shall not be required to comply with the requirements of this Act if: (1) the employer's circumstances have so changed as to make such compliance impossible or unreasonable; (2) such compliance would pose an undue hardship on the employer; or (3) the employment in question is for a brief, nonrecurring period without a reasonable expectation of continuing indefinitely or for a significant period.
 
Applies health insurance continuation requirements to absences from employment described in this Act.
 
Prohibits any employer discrimination or acts of reprisal against an absent employee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-264.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate