hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act

Bill: 111-s-575
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2009-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Infrastructure development
Land use and conservation
Motor vehicles
Oil and gas
Public transit
Railroads
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: 
Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act - Establishes the Low Greenhouse Gas Transportation Fund.
 
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for each of calendar 2012-2050, to auction 10% of emission allowances established under any EPA program providing for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the auctioning of emission allowances.
 
Requires deposit of auction proceeds into the Fund to implement state and metropolitan planning organization (MPO) greenhouse gas emission reduction plans, and provide funding to transit projects that help reduce such emissions.
 
Requires states and MPOs representing populations of more than 200,000 people to: (1) establish goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector for the next 10 years; and (2) develop transportation greenhouse gas emission reduction plans, including supporting lists of prioritized transit projects, that are integrated into state and MPO long-range transportation and transportation improvement plans. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the EPA Administrator to contract with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report recommendations for improving research tools and federal data sources necessary to assess the effect of state and local transportation, land use, and environmental plans on motor vehicle use rates and transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3068-3069)
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation of certain entries of newspaper printing presses and components thereof.

Bill: 111-s-576
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries of large newspaper printing presses and components from Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-577
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to subject a person to fine, imprisonment, or both, who: (1) willfully and knowingly executes a scheme in connection with any federal immigration law-related matter to defraud a person, or to obtain money or anything else of value from a person by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises; or (2) willfully, knowingly, and falsely represents that such person is an attorney or an accredited representative in any federal immigration law-related matter. 
 
 Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) use the Executive Office of Immigration Review to investigate such immigration fraud crimes; and (2) educate immigrant communities about who may provide legal services and representation in immigration proceedings.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that: (1) aliens in removal proceedings be provided with a description of who may represent them, including notice that immigration consultants, visa consultants, and other unauthorized individuals may not provide such representation; and (2) the Attorney General provide for lists of persons who are prohibited from providing representation in immigration proceedings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3075-3076)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3075)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Tim Lowery and Paul Nettleton of Owyhee County, Idaho.

Bill: 111-s-578
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Provides for the relief of Tim Lowery and Paul Nettleton of Owyhee County, Idaho.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Tobacco Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-579
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Agricultural practices and innovations
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Business records
Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal preemption
Fires
Florida
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Minnesota
Mississippi
News media and reporting
Product safety and quality
Professional sports
Public transit
Sales and excise taxes
Texas
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Federal Tobacco Act of 2009 - Establishes the Tobacco Regulatory Agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but not as part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 
Sets forth criteria by which tobacco products are deemed adulterated or misbranded.
 
Establishes limits on tobacco product advertising, promotion, and marketing related to youth, including: (1) prohibiting the use of any cartoon; (2) restricting the use of any human image; (3) prohibiting sponsorship of certain athletic events; and (4) limiting the sale of small packages of cigarettes.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce federal substance abuse grants for states that: (1) do not have in effect a statute setting forth specific provisions to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors; or (2) spend less than the recommended amount of tobacco settlement agreement funds on tobacco control programs.
 
Prohibits the use of certain descriptors in the packaging and advertising of cigarettes. 
 
Requires an approved application under this Act for any reduced-exposure or reduced-risk claim.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Agency to establish standards and procedures for ranking tobacco products and nicotine-containing products based on the relative risks of serious or chronic tobacco-related diseases and adverse health conditions.
 
 Requires tobacco product manufacturers to publicly disclose a list of the ingredients in each of their tobacco products.
 
Establishes testing and reporting requirements for tobacco products to determine nicotine and tar yields. 
 
Sets forth provisions governing disclosures on tobacco product packaging. 
 
Directs the Administrator to assess an annual user fee on each tobacco product manufacturer.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prevent the undermining of the judgments of courts of the United States by foreign courts, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-580
Sponsor: Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Free trade and trade barriers
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Makes unenforceable by a federal or state agency, department, or court any judgment of a foreign court or agency under a certain kind of foreign statute that requires a U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate) to pay damages to a foreign defendant.
 
Describes such a foreign statute as one that has the effect of nullifying all or part of a final judgment of a U.S. court under the Antidumping Act of 1916 by enabling a foreign defendant that has paid damages pursuant to such judgment to recover any portion of them from the U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate).
 
Authorizes a U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate) held liable, or required to forfeit or pay damages, pursuant to a foreign judgment to file a civil action for the amount of such damages (plus interest and costs) against the foreign defendant that obtained damages pursuant to the foreign judgment.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Family Nutrition Protection Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-581
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child health
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Military personnel and dependents
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Military Family Nutrition Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to exclude combat pay from household income in calculating a child's eligibility for free or reduced price meals under the school lunch program.
 
Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require states to exclude combat pay from family income in making eligibility determinations under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Interest Rate Reduction Act

Bill: 111-s-582
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer credit
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Interest Rate Reduction Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the annual percentage rate of interest (APR) applicable to any extension of credit to a consumer from exceeding 15% on unpaid balances, inclusive of all finance charges.
 
Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to establish an APR ceiling exceeding the 15% annual rate for periods not to exceed 18 months, upon a determination that: (1) money market interest rates have risen over the preceding six-month period; and (2) prevailing interest rate levels threaten the safety and soundness of individual lenders, as evidenced by adverse trends in liquidity, capital, earnings, and growth.
 
Declares the interest rate limitation inapplicable to an extension of credit by an insured credit union.

Subjects a creditor who violates this Act to a civil penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3076-3077)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Complete Streets Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-584
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Access Board
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
 Complete Streets Act of 2009 - Requires each state to have in effect within two years a law, or each state department of transportation and metropolitan planning organization (MPO) an explicit policy statement, that requires all federally-funded transportation projects, with certain exceptions, to accommodate the safety and convenience of all users in accordance with certain complete streets principles.
 
Defines &quot;complete streets principles&quot; as federal, state, local, or regional level transportation laws, policies, or principles which ensure that the safety and convenience of all users of a transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, children, older individuals, motorists, and individuals with disabilities, are accommodated in all phases of project planning and development. 
 
Allows such law or policy to make project-specific exemptions from such principles only if: (1) affected roadways prohibit specified users by law from using them, the cost of a compliance project would be excessively disproportionate to the need, or the population and employment densities or level of transit service around a roadway is so low that there is no need to implement such principles; and (2) all such exemptions are properly approved.
 
Requires: (1) the Secretary to establish a method for ensuring compliance by state departments of transportation and MPOs with complete streets principles; and (2) states to require every agency responsible for a project within an approved transportation improvement program to review and certify project compliance with complete streets principles.
 
Requires states noncompliant with complete streets principles to use a portion of their surface transportation program funds to carry out a highway safety program.
 
Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to issue final standards for accessibility of new construction and alterations of pedestrian facilities for public rights-of-way.
 
Requires the Secretary to conduct research regarding complete streets to: (1) assist states, MPOs, and local jurisdictions in developing and implementing complete streets-compliant plans, projects, procedures, policies, and training programs; and (2) establish benchmarks for, and provide technical guidance on, implementing complete streets policies and principles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act

Bill: 111-s-585
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Consumer credit
Income tax credits
Poverty and welfare assistance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that advance payments of the earned income tax credit are not transferable or assignable or subject to the claims of any creditors, except outstanding claims of the federal government.

Prohibits: (1) the collection of a debt from a debtor's federal tax refund by means of a refund anticipation loan; and (2) mandatory arbitration as a condition of providing a refund anticipation loan.

Terminates the Department of the Treasury Debt Indicator Program. 

Allows earned income tax credit benefits to be paid through electronic transfer accounts. 

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) develop and implement a program to encourage the greater use of the advance earned income tax credit; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with federally insured depository institutions to provide low- and moderate-income taxpayers with the option of establishing low-cost direct deposit accounts using appropriate tax forms.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3078-3079)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3078)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
National Neurotechnology Initiative Act

Bill: 111-s-586
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical education
Medical research
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines &quot;neurotechnology&quot; to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.

Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.

Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop the Blueprint for Neuroscience Research to: (1) identify pervasive challenges in neuroscience and any technological barriers to solving such challenges; and (2) support the development of new tools, training opportunities, and other resources to assist neuroscientists in basic and clinical research. 

Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to require the Directors of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health to improve the timelines of the review process for neurology and psychiatry.

Requires the Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office to establish the American Neurotechnology Study Center.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3079)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Western Hemisphere Energy Compact

Bill: 111-s-587
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Brazil
Canada
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
Foreign aid and international relief
Government studies and investigations
International organizations and cooperation
Latin America
Multilateral development programs
Oil and gas
Public-private cooperation
Western Hemisphere

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Western Hemisphere Energy Compact - Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to seek to establish the Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum to: (1) strengthen relationships between the United States and other countries of the Western Hemisphere through cooperation on energy issues; and (2) promote renewable energy production and lessen oil import dependency.
 
Directs the Secretary to seek to implement: (1) an energy crisis initiative; (2) an energy sustainability initiative; (3) an energy for development initiative; and (4) a climate change mitigation and adaptation initiative.
 
Directs the Secretary to seek to establish a Western Hemisphere Energy Industry Group to increase public-private partnerships and foster private investment. 
 
Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy to seek to establish an Oil and Gas Working Group to strengthen oil- and natural gas-related dialogue among international oil companies, national oil companies, and civil society groups. 
 
Directs the Secretary to work with Brazil to: (1) promote biofuel production and use; (2) invite interested countries to expand global biofuels markets and promote biofuels production and use in developing countries; and (3) assess the feasibility of working with the World Bank and relevant regional development banks regarding biofuels. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to work with Brazil, Canada, and other governments in agricultural biofuel extension activities.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility of increasing biofuel production and use; (2) work with Western Hemisphere governments and other countries to organize regional and hemispheric carbon trading mechanisms; and (3) seek to establish a Western Hemisphere energy crisis response mechanism.
 
Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to seek to increase U.S. foreign assistance programming in renewable energy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3079-3082)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-589
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2009-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cultural exchanges and relations
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: 
Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (1) establish and administer a Global Service Fellowship Program to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding; and (2) establish the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity to implement the Global Service Fellowship Program.
 
Sets forth Program provisions. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3082)
action_date: 2009-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate