hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Rural Aviation Improvement Act

Bill: 111-s-983
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Energy prices
Executive agency funding and structure
Rural conditions and development
Transportation costs
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
Rural Aviation Improvement Act - Repeals the Essential Air Service Local Participation Program.
 
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from compensating an air carrier for providing essential air service to an eligible community in the 48 contiguous states if such community: (1) is located fewer than 70 miles from a large or medium hub airport; or (2) is fewer than 210 miles from a large or medium hub airport and providing such air transportation would require a per passenger subsidy in excess of $200 for calendar year 2010, including any increase or decrease for each ensuing calendar year.
 
Authorizes a state or local government to submit a proposal to the Secretary to: (1) compensate an air carrier for essential air service to an eligible community above the $200 per passenger subsidy cap; (2) compensate a preferred air carrier for providing such service (i.e., an air carrier preferred by the affected community although it is not the lowest bidder); and (3) restore the eligibility of a community to receive subsidized essential air service.
 
Requires the Secretary, in determining compensation (or eligibility for it) for essential air service based on highway mileage, to use the highway mileage of the most commonly used route between the eligible community and the nearest large or medium hub airport.
 
Establishes within the Office of the Secretary the Office of Rural Aviation.
 
Requires adjustment of compensation to air carriers for providing essential air service in order to take into account significant increases in fuel costs.
 
Directs the Secretary to treat passenger boardings on aircraft operated by charter air carriers at airports receiving essential air service as passenger boardings for purposes of making apportionments of airport improvement grant funds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5233-5234)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-984
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Child health
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Student aid and college costs
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS): (1) to develop and implement a National Arthritis Action Plan; and (2) acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct, support, and promote the coordination of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases research.
 
Requires the Secretary to award grants to: (1) support arthritis-specific research projects at the Centers for Prevention Research by the CDC; (2) support state comprehensive arthritis control and prevention programs and public health surveillance, prevention, and control activities; and (3) assist in the implementation of a national strategy for arthritis control and prevention.
 
Requires the Secretary to coordinate a national education and outreach program on arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish an Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee to: (1) improve coordination of federal research activities related to arthritis and rheumatic diseases; and (2) convene a summit to provide a detailed overview of such current federal research.
 
Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand and intensify juvenile arthritis research. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to award grants to support juvenile arthritis data collection. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to support the development of a National Juvenile Arthritis Patient Registry. Requires the Secretary to promote and support pediatric rheumatology training, including by allowing the Secretary to establish a loan repayment program.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the economic impact of arthritis in the workplace.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5234)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Savings for Working Families Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-985
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business investment and capital
Financial literacy
Higher education
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Indian social and development programs
Poverty and welfare assistance
Small business
Student aid and college costs
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
Savings for Working Families Act of 2009 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal.
 
Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. 
 
Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5283-5284)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-986
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009 - Amends part B (Child-Welfare Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to states to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. Authorizes a grant award directly to a political subdivision if the subdivision serves a substantial number of foster care youth.
 
Prescribes program implementation guidelines, including: (1) application requirements; (2) training; (3) screening; (4) educational requirements; (5) federal and nonfederal share of funds for the program; (6) considerations in awarding grants; and (7) use of funds. 
Sets forth a maximum grant amount to be awarded to a state or political subdivision. 
Authorizes the Secretary to award a competitive grant to an eligible entity to establish a National Hotline Service or website to provide information to individuals interested in becoming mentors to youth in foster care. 
Instructs the Secretary of Education to implement a program to provide for the discharge or cancellation of the federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible mentor.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
SIMPLE Cafeteria Plan Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-988
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Child care and development
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax exclusion
Life, casualty, property insurance
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Self-employed
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
SIMPLE Cafeteria Plan Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a new employee benefit cafeteria plan to be known as a Simple Cafeteria Plan. Defines &quot;Simple Cafeteria Plan&quot; as a cafeteria plan which: (1) is established and maintained by an employer with an average of 100 or fewer employees during a two-year period; (2) requires employers to make contributions or match employee contributions to the plan; (3) requires participating employees to have at least 1,000 hours of service for the preceding plan year and allows such employees to elect any benefit available under the plan; (4) permits participation by self-employed individuals; and (5) includes long-term care insurance as an qualified benefit. Exempts employers who make contributions for employees under a simple cafeteria plans from pension plan nondiscrimination requirements applicable to highly compensated and key employees. 
 
Modifies rules applicable to employee benefit flexible spending arrangements, including health and dependent care arrangements, to permit participants to make or modify elections regarding covered benefits and to carry over up to $500 (indexed for inflation) of unused benefits to the succeeding year or transfer such unused amounts to another plan, including an individual retirement plan or a health savings account. 
 
Allows an exclusion from the gross income of an employee of up to $7,500 ($10,000 for employees with one or more dependents) for employer contributions to a flexible spending arrangement. Provides for a cost-of-living adjustment to such exclusion after 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5237-5239)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5236-5237)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Grid Access Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-989
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Federal preemption
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
Grid Access Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to add definitions of combined heat and power facility as well as net metering.
 
 Requires each state regulatory authority with ratemaking authority, and each nonregulated electric utility, to conduct a hearing and, on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard.
 
Requires retail electric suppliers to offer to arrange to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis.
 
Prescribes implementation requirements regarding: (1) net energy measurement; (2) billing practices; (3) ownership of credits; (4) safety and performance standards; and (5) determination of compliance.
 
Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish model interconnection standards, according to specified requirements, for the physical connection between local distribution systems and qualified generation units and electric generation units that are either qualified generation units or combined heat and power facilities. Requires states to adopt such model standards, subject to FERC approval.
 
Requires each electric utility to allow a combined heat and power facility to site distribution lines on and across public rights-of-way for the purpose of interconnecting with contiguous end use customers. Specifies time limitations for compliance with such siting for combined heat and power facilities. 
 
Requires each state or local electric utility regulatory entity to establish a tariff for electricity produced by clean distributed energy resources that provides for the efficient and effective use of clean distributed energy resources by covered facilities. Prescribes tariff requirements. 
 
Prohibits a state or nonregulated utility from adopting or enforcing any standard or requirement concerning net metering or interconnection that restricts access to the electric power transmission or local distribution system by qualified generators beyond those established under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Afterschool Flexibility to Expand Reimbursement for School Meals Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-990
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child care and development
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
Afterschool Flexibility to Expand Reimbursement for School Meals Act of 2009 or the AFTERSchool Meals Act of 2009 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make institutions in any state eligible for reimbursement for meals provided to at-risk school children under programs organized primarily to provide care to at-risk school children during after-school hours, weekends, or holidays during the regular school year. (Currently, reimbursement is limited to institutions in 10 states.)
 
Assists states in providing meals and meal supplements to children participating in after-school programs in elementary and secondary schools. (Currently, assistance is provided for meal supplements.)
 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to states to encourage institutions and schools to participate in these expanded programs.
 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
English Language Unity Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-991
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
English Language Unity Act of 2009 - Makes English the official language of the United States. 
 
Requires, subject to exceptions and rules of construction, that: (1) official functions of the United States be conducted in English; and (2) all naturalization ceremonies be conducted in English. Establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization.
 
Makes English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5240-5241)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5239-5240)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
National Language Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-992
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2009-05-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: 
National Language Act of 2009 - Requires: (1) English to be the national language of the federal government; and (2) the federal government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language.
 
Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the federal government act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English, unless specifically provided by statute.

Makes the English language version of a government form issued in a language other than English the sole authority for legal purposes.

Declares that this Act does not prohibit the use of a language other than English.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5241)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5239-5240)
action_date: 2009-05-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for the installation of residential micro-combined heat and power property.

Bill: 111-s-993
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-05-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Energy efficiency and conservation
Income tax credits
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make qualified micro-combined heat and power property expenditures eligible for the 30% tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Defines &quot;qualified micro-combined heat and power property expenditures&quot; as expenditures for a residential heating and electrical power generating system that has a fuel use efficiency rating of not less than 80% and operates with a rated capacity of at least 1, but not more than 30, kilowatts of electricity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-994
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2009-05-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cancer
Elementary and secondary education
Genetics
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: 
Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009 or EARLY Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct a national evidence-based education campaign: (1) to increase public awareness regarding the threats posed by breast cancer to young women, including the particular risks faced by certain racial, ethnic and cultural groups; and (2) focusing on awareness of risk factors and achieving early detection through community-centered informational forums, public service advertisements, and media campaigns.
 
Directs the Secretary to award grants to entities to establish national multimedia campaigns that: (1) will encourage young women to be aware of their personal risk factors, strategies and methods for increasing early detection and self awareness, genetic counseling and testing, imaging-based screening methods, evidence based preventative lifestyle changes, and other appropriate breast cancer early detection and risk reduction strategies; (2) will encourage young women of specific higher-risk populations to talk to their medical practitioners about those risks and methods for appropriate screening and surveillance; and (3) may include advertising through specified media.
 
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) establish an advisory committee to assist in creating and conducting the public education campaign; (2) conduct an education campaign to increase awareness among health care professionals; and (3) conduct prevention research. 
 
Directs the Secretary to award grants to organizations and institutions to provide to young women diagnosed with breast cancer substantive assistance and health information from credible sources on: (1) education and counseling regarding fertility preservation; (2) social, emotional, psychosocial, financial, lifestyle, and caregiver support; (3) familial risk factors; and (4) risk reduction strategies to reduce recurrence or metastasis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Renewable Energy Permitting Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-995
Sponsor: Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV]
Introduced: 2009-05-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Endangered and threatened species
Energy revenues and royalties
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
State and local finance
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: 
Renewable Energy Permitting Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and carry out a pilot program in FY2009-FY2018 to improve federal renewable energy permit coordination.
 
Provides for the distribution of solar and wind energy rental income collected by the Bureau of Land Management in specified percentages to: (1) certain states in which such income is derived; (2) the Renewable Energy Permit Processing Improvement Fund; and (3) the Solar Energy Land Reclamation, Restoration, and Mitigation Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to use amounts in such Funds for processing renewable energy permits and for reclaiming and restoring public land used for the production of solar energy.
 
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to eliminate the five year limitation on the deposit and use of lease revenues under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Introduced in Senate