hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Health Data Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1732
Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
American Samoa
Government studies and investigations
Guam
Hawaii
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Minority health
Northern Mariana Islands
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: 
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Health Data Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) develop and implement an ongoing and sustainable national strategy for identifying and evaluating the health status and health care needs of NHOPI (Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders) populations living in the continental United States, Hawaii, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and (2) conduct a preliminary health survey to identify the major regions of such areas in which NHOPI people reside, including data the Secretary determines to be useful in determining health status and health care needs or required for developing or implementing the national strategy.
 
Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study on: (1) the standards and definitions of health care applied to health care systems in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U,S. Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Palau, or the Marshall Islands; (2) the status and performance of health care systems in such areas; (3) the effectiveness of donor aid in addressing health care needs and priorities in such areas; and (4) progress toward implementing recommendations of the Institute's Committee on Health Care Services in the United States-Associated Pacific Basin that are set forth in the 1998 report, "Pacific Partnerships for Health; Charting a New Course for the 21st Century."


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Medical Liability Reform Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1734
Sponsor: Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2009-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Evidence and witnesses
Federal preemption
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Immunology and vaccination

Summary:
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: 
Medical Liability Reform Act of 2009 - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of health care services. Imposes no limitation on recoverable economic damages. Limits recoverable noneconomic damages with respect to the same occurrence to: (1) $250,000 from a provider or a single health care institution; and (2) $500,000 from multiple health institutions. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility.
 
Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Prohibits an expert witness from testifying if the witness's fee is contingent on the outcome of the lawsuit.
 
 Requires the claimant: (1) to certify with the claim whether expert opinion testimony is necessary to prove the health care professional's standard of care or liability for the claim; and (2) upon certifying that such testimony is necessary, to serve a preliminary expert opinion affidavit. Directs the court to dismiss the claim without prejudice if the claimant fails to serve a preliminary expert opinion affidavit after certifying that an affidavit is necessary or after the court has ordered the claimant to serve an affidavit.
 
Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the applicability of this Act to Public Health Service Act provisions pertaining to civil actions brought for a general vaccine or smallpox vaccine injury; and (2) preemption of state laws. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Lumbee Recognition Act

Bill: 111-s-1735
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Gambling
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
North Carolina
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 

 
Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. 

action_date: 2010-01-20
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. 
 
Makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided to Indians because of their status as members of a federally recognized tribe. Deems, for purposes of the delivery of such services, Tribe members residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties in North Carolina to be residing on or near an Indian reservation.
 
Allows land to be taken into trust for the Lumbee Tribe. Requires treating an application to take land located in Robeson County, North Carolina, into trust as an &quot;on reservation&quot; trust acquisition under regulations concerning land acquisitions.
 
Prohibits the Tribe from conducting gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of any federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 256.
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan without amendment. With written report No. 111-116. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan without amendment. With written report No. 111-116. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2009-10-22
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1736
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Crime victims
Family relationships
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Terrorism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act of 2009 - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for an applicant alien who: (1) was on September 10, 2001, the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of an alien who died as a direct result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist activity against the United States; (2) was deemed to be a beneficiary of, and by, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001; (3) has no federal tax liability; (4) made a proffer of information to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) between April 24, 2008, and August 15, 2008, in connection with a request for immigration relief; and (5) applies not later than one year from the date of enactment of this Act.
 
 
Makes the provisions of this Act inapplicable to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable under criminal or security grounds, including September 11, 2001, terrorist activity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Expand School Meals Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1737
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Expand School Meals Act of 2009 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to expand eligibility for free meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs to children whose family income falls at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. 
 
Phases-in this eligibility expansion by increasing the income eligibility level in annual increments until it reaches 185% of the federal poverty guidelines for the school year beginning on July 1, 2013. (This will make all children who are eligible for reduced price meals eligible for free meals on such date.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10062-10063)
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1738
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Air quality
Alaska
Ecology
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Mining
Outdoor recreation
Roads and highways
Solid waste and recycling
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Water quality
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2009 - Prohibits road construction and road reconstruction in inventoried roadless areas of the National Forest System. Specifies exceptions, including because: (1) there is threat of a catastrophic event; (2) a natural resource restoration action is necessary; or (3) a federal-aid highway project is in the public interest or is consistent with the purposes for which the land was reserved or acquired. 
 
 Prohibits timber from being cut, sold, or removed in an inventoried roadless area. Permits various exceptions, including for specified environmental reasons, if the responsible official determines that the cutting, sale, or removal of timber is expected to be infrequent. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to make modifications to roadless area maps to improve their accuracy or inclusiveness. Instructs the Secretary, in order to evaluate the effect of a modification to a roadless area map, to prepare an environmental impact statement or similar analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 

Declares that this Act does not: (1) revoke, suspend, or modify legal instruments and decisions concerning the use of NFS land made before January 12, 2001; (2) compel the amendment or revision of any land and resource management plan; or (3) apply to specified activities in the Tongass National Forest. 

States that the prohibitions and restrictions of this Act cannot be reconsidered, modified, or terminated under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1739
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
News media and reporting

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require inclusion of specified freedom of the press information in the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
 
Directs the Secretary to administer a grant program to promote freedom of the press worldwide, which shall be administered by the Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. 

action_date: 2009-12-18
text: 
Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to expand the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices to include: (1) a description of the status of freedom of the press in each country reviewed in the report; (2) identification of countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press; and (3) whether governments in countries in which there are severe violations of freedom of the press participate in or condone such violations, and actions that such governments have taken to preserve the safety and independence of the media and to ensure the prosecution of individuals who attack or murder journalists.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-18
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 246.
action_date: 2009-12-18
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-12-18
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-11-17
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act

Bill: 111-s-1740
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Disability and health-based discrimination
Domestic violence and child abuse
Employee leave
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Insurance industry and regulation
Lawyers and legal services
Poverty and welfare assistance
Sex offenses
Unemployment
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
 Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act - Sets forth entitlement standards and implementation guidelines for employee use of emergency leave to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (domestic or sexual violence). Permits victims of domestic or sexual violence to substitute existing leave in lieu of emergency leave. 
 
Authorizes state use of funds under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to provide nonrecurrent short-term emergency benefits for victims of domestic or sexual violence on emergency leave. 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit denial of unemployment compensation to individuals separated from employment due to their experience of domestic or sexual violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require training of unemployment compensation and TANF personnel to provide necessary services to victims of domestic or sexual violence. 
Victims' Employment Sustainability Act - Prohibits certain discriminatory employer practices against victims of domestic or sexual violence. 
Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits denial or restriction of insurance coverage (including termination of health insurance coverage) based on the status of the applicant or insured as a victim of domestic or sexual violence. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Green Taxis Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1741
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Intergovernmental relations
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Green Taxis Act of 2009 - Allows states or political subdivisions to prescribe requirements for fuel economy for taxicabs and other automobiles if such requirements are at least as stringent as federal requirements and if such vehicles: (1) are automobiles that are capable of transporting not more than 10 individuals, including the driver; (2) are commercially available or are designed and manufactured pursuant to a contract with such state or subdivision; (3) are operated for hire pursuant to a license, permit, or other authorization issued by such state or subdivision; (4) provide local transportation for a fare determined on the basis of the time or distance traveled; and (5) do not exclusively provide transportation to and from airports.
 
Amends the Clean Air Act to allow states or political subdivisions to adopt and enforce standards for the control of emissions from new motor vehicles that are taxicabs and other vehicles if such standards will be at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards and if such vehicles meet the other criteria specified above.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Women's Hospitals Education Equity Act

Bill: 111-s-1742
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Education programs funding
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Women's Hospitals Education Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make two payments to each eligible women's hospital for each of FY2010-FY2014: (1) one payment for direct expenses associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs; and (2) one for indirect expenses associated with the treatment of more severely ill patients and the additional costs relating to teaching residents in such programs.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) make the payments in 12 equal interim installments based on the number of residents reported in the hospital's most recently filed Medicare cost report; (2) withhold up to 25% from each installment to ensure a hospital will not be overpaid on an interim basis; (3) determine, prior to the end of each fiscal year, any changes to the number of residents reported to determine the final amount; and (4) recoup any overpayments based on such determination. Considers the final amount so determined to be a final intermediary determination, subject to administrative and judicial review, under the Social Security Act.
 
 Applies to women's hospitals under this Act annual reporting requirements and provisions regarding direct graduate medical education payments and indirect medical education payments applicable to children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the rehabilitation credit, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1743
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Building construction
Energy efficiency and conservation
Historic sites and heritage areas
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the building rehabilitation tax credit to: (1) allow an increased 30% credit for projects involving $7.5 million or less in rehabilitation expenditures; (2) allow rehabilitated buildings used for lodging to qualify for such credit; (3) establish a 50-year placed-in-service requirement for non-historic rehabilitated buildings; (4) allow such credit for certain tax-exempt use property; (5) provide for the transferability of such credit; (6) increase the energy efficiency tax credit allowed to rehabilitated buildings; and (7) exempt from taxation refunds attributable to state historic tax credits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhancing Flight Crewmembers' Training

Bill: 111-s-1744
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: 
Enhancing Flight Crewmembers' Training - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prescribe regulations to require each air carrier to develop and implement standards and methods to ensure flight crewmembers have proper qualifications and experience to serve as crewmembers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate