hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Emergency Relief Well Act

Bill: 111-s-3492
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2010-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: 
Emergency Relief Well Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, with respect to geological and geophysical explorations as well as oil and gas development and production, to require an exploration plan submitted for approval to include a plan for drilling at least one emergency relief well concurrently with the drilling of the proposed well.
 
Requires any exploratory drilling in submerged lands of the outer Continental Shelf conducted under a lease (including drilling for oil and gas development and production) to be accompanied by the concurrent drilling of at least one emergency relief well, subject to any applicable requirements established by the Secretary of the Interior.
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to require, as an alternative to such emergency relief well requirement, measures that would be at least as effective at stopping a major release from a proposed well.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reauthorize and enhance Johanna's Law to increase public awareness and knowledge with respect to gynecologic cancers.

Bill: 111-s-3493
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [D-PA]
Introduced: 2010-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2012 the current authorization of appropriations for the national public awareness campaign for gynecologic cancers (Johanna's law). Authorizes appropriations in subsequent fiscal years at levels necessary to carry out such campaign. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) collaborate with nonprofit gynecologic cancer organizations to determine the best practices for providing gynecologic cancer information and outreach services to varied populations; and (2) make grants to nonprofit private entities to carry out demonstration projects to test outreach and education strategies to increase the awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers regarding gynecologic cancers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4942)
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4941-4942)
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3494
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2010-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aging
Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Law enforcement administration and funding
Marketing and advertising

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-15
text:  
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of
 2010 
 - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): (1) to disseminate to seniors and their families and caregivers information on mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud targeting seniors, including on ways of referring complaints to appropriate law enforcement agencies; (2) in response to a request about a particular entity or individual, to provide publicly available information on any record of civil or criminal law enforcement action for such fraud; and (3) to maintain a website as a resource for such individuals on those kinds of fraud.
 
Directs the Attorney General to establish and administer a competitive grant program for mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud prevention education programs for senior citizens. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to public awareness of the impact of such fraud on senior citizens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Debt Buy-Down Act

Bill: 111-s-3496
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2010-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Government trust funds
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: 
Debt Buy-Down Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to designate up to 10% of their adjusted income tax liability for the reduction of the public debt.
 
Establishes in the Treasury the Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund to hold tax revenues generated by this Act for the reduction of the public debt. 
 
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require a sequestration of federal spending equivalent to the estimated aggregate amount designated by taxpayers under this Act to reduce the public debt. Prohibits any reduction in social security retirement benefits, veterans benefits, or interest payments on federal debt as a result of any such sequestration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Oil Spill Prevention and Mitigation Improvement Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3497
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Scott P. [R-MA]
Introduced: 2010-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accidents
Congressional oversight
Environmental technology
Government studies and investigations
Gulf of Mexico
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Oil and gas
Technology assessment
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: 
 Oil Spill Prevention and Mitigation Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior, in the case of each lease issued or renewed after enactment of this Act, to require the incorporation into the lease of a peer-reviewed response plan describing the means and timeline for containment and termination of an ongoing discharge of oil at the depth at which the exploration, development, or production authorized under the lease is to take place.
 
 Requires the Secretary, before determining whether to issue a new lease, to certify the technological feasibility of methods proposed to be used under a response plan, as demonstrated through simulation, demonstration, or other means.
 
Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) conduct a study, in collaboration with the Office of Fossil Energy, on means of improving prevention methodologies and technological responses to oil spills and mitigating their effects on natural habitat; (2) convene a task force to assess the prevention methodologies and technological response to the blowout and explosion of the offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that occurred on April 20, 2010, and resulting hydrocarbon releases and assess the adequacy of existing technologies for prevention and responses to deep water oil spills; and (3) recommend means of improving prevention methodologies and technological responses to future spills and mitigating their effects on natural habitat.
 
 Requires the Comptroller General to study and report on existing capabilities and legal authorities of the federal government to prevent and respond to oil spills, including an assessment of the extent to which such capabilities and authorities have been fully used in the response to the Deepwater Horizon incident and resulting hydrocarbon releases.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-653, pt. 5.
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to support the establishment and operation of Teachers Professional Development Institutes.

Bill: 111-s-3498
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2010-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Connecticut
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants to encourage the establishment and operation of Teachers Institutes; and (2) provide technical assistance, all or some of which may be provided through the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) in establishing and operating Teachers Institutes.
 
 Sets forth selection criteria, including consideration of the extent to which the proposed Institute will serve schools that have a significant low-income population.
 
Defines a Teachers Institute as a partnership or joint venture between one or more IHEs and one or more LEAs serving one or more schools with significant low-income populations that is established to improve the quality of teaching and learning through collaborative seminars.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4992-4993)
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4991-4992)
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Fiduciary Benefits Oversight Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3499
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2010-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: 
Fiduciary Benefits Oversight Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require any person appointed or recognized as a fiduciary for a VA beneficiary to provide authorization for the Secretary to obtain from any financial institution any financial record with respect to the fiduciary or the beneficiary when necessary: (1) for the administration of a VA program; or (2) in order to safeguard the beneficiary's benefits against neglect, misappropriation, misuse, embezzlement, or fraud. Provides a conditional time limit on such authorization.
 
Provides that if the fiduciary refuses to provide such authorization, the Secretary may revoke the fiduciary's appointment or recognition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4994)
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4993-4994)
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Local Jobs for America Act

Bill: 111-s-3500
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2010-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Fires
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Minority education
Preschool education
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Unemployment
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: 
Local Jobs for America Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor, to provide for the allotment of funds to states, local government units, and community-based organizations to save and create local jobs through the retention, restoration, or expansion of services needed by local communities.
 
Prohibits the hiring of an individual for a position funded under this Act if: (1) it results in the layoff or partial displacement of an existing employee of a unit or organization; or (2) such individual will perform the same or substantially similar work that was performed by the previous employee of the unit or organization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2010-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
American Job Protection Act

Bill: 111-s-3501
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business records
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
American Job Protection Act - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that require large employers to offer their full-time employees the opportunity to enroll in minimum essential coverage. Applies the Internal Revenue Code as if such provisions had never been enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
American Liberty Restoration Act

Bill: 111-s-3502
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
American Liberty Restoration Act - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that require individuals to maintain minimum essential health care coverage. Applies the Internal Revenue Code as if such provisions had never been enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3503
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Area studies and international education
Cultural exchanges and relations
Humanities programs funding
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. filmmakers and nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote a better understanding of the United States among individuals in other countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3504
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Family planning and birth control
Government information and archives
Health promotion and preventive care

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception, including, at a minimum, a description of emergency contraception and an explanation of the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of such contraception.
 
Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop and disseminate to health care providers, including pharmacists, information on emergency contraception that includes, at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
China Fair Trade Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3505
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Asia
Buy American requirements
China
Congressional oversight
Manufacturing
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
China Fair Trade Act of 2010 - Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to provide that certain exceptions and waivers to the prohibition on the procurement of the products of a country that is not a party to the Agreement on Government Procurement shall not apply with respect to the procurements of products or services of the People's Republic of China.
 
Amends the Buy American Act to declare that certain exceptions to the Act requiring only U.S. materials be used for public use shall not apply to the procurement of Chinese made products until China becomes a party to the Agreement.
 
Declares that certain exceptions to Buy American requirements shall not apply to the procurement of Chinese products by the Department of Defense (DOD) until China becomes a party to such Agreement.
 
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to declare that certain exceptions to Buy American requirements under such Act shall not apply to the procurement of Chinese steel and products until China becomes a party to the Agreement.
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress on the productive capacity of the major industrial sectors in China.
 
Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to Congress on: (1) Chinese policies and the subsidies China provides in the development and exportation of renewable energy products and technologies; and (2) the impact such policies and subsidies have on U.S. manufacturers of such products and technologies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3506
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government lending and loan guarantees
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development
Small Business Administration
Small business
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to assign an SBA employee to coordinate SBA programs and activities relating to broadband and emerging information technology (BEIT). Requires the Administrator to provide SBA employees BEIT training in order to assist small businesses in the use of such technologies. Requires reports from the coordinator to the congressional small business committees on coordinator activities and on federal programs that provide BEIT assistance to small businesses.
 
Includes accessing and using BEIT as an authorized activity of small business development centers and women's business centers.
 
Authorizes the use of capital provided under SBA loans for the purchase of equipment for BEIT.
 
Requires a report from the Administrator on the number of government-owned computers in use or disposed of by the SBA. Directs the Administrator to establish a pilot program to provide up to 1,000 computers annually to rural small businesses at no cost or reduced cost.
 
Directs the Administrator to report on ways to assist with the development of broadband and wireless technology that would benefit small businesses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require congressional approval of agreements for peaceful nuclear cooperation with foreign countries, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-3507
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2010-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
International organizations and cooperation
Nuclear power
Nuclear weapons

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: 
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a joint congressional resolution of approval for a subsequent arrangement to an agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation (section 123 agreement). (Under current law such an agreement becomes effective unless Congress disapproves it within a specified time period.)
 
 
Directs the President to keep the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations fully informed of any initiative or negotiations relating to a new or amended section 123 agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2010-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate