hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Consumer Credit Fairness Act

Bill: 111-s-257
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Consumer credit
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Consumer Credit Fairness Act - Amends federal bankruptcy law to require the bankruptcy court to disallow any claim arising from a high cost consumer credit transaction.
 
Defines &quot;high cost consumer credit transaction&quot; as an extension of credit by a creditor resulting in a consumer debt with an applicable annual percentage rate (APR), including related costs and fees, that exceeds, at any time while the credit is outstanding, the lesser of: (1) the sum of 15% and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities having a 30-year period of maturity; or (2) 36%.
 
Excludes the petition for relief of a debtor with any debts arising from a high cost consumer credit transaction from mandatory consideration for dismissal, or conversion to a case under chapter 11 or 13, based upon a finding of substantial abuse.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-259
Sponsor: Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Hearing, speech, and vision care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award matching grants to states to complement existing state efforts to: (1) provide comprehensive eye examinations from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children who have been previously identified through a vision screening or eye examination by a licensed health care provider or vision screener as needing such services, who do not otherwise have coverage for vision services, and who are low-income children, with priority given to children who are under the age of nine years; (2) provide treatment or services as necessary to correct identified vision problems; and (3) develop and disseminate to parents, teachers, and health care practitioners educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children.

Requires the Secretary to develop criteria: (1) governing the operation of the grant program; and (2) for the collection of data related to vision assessment and the utilization of follow-up services.

Requires the Secretary to coordinate the program under this Act with other federal or state programs that provide services to children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the taxation of income of controlled foreign corporations attributable to imported property.

Bill: 111-s-260
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Foreign and international corporations
Income tax credits
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income. Defines &quot;imported property income&quot; as, with certain exceptions, income attributable to property manufactured outside of the United States and imported for sale into the United States. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S616)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the deduction for the travel expenses of a taxpayer's spouse who accompanies the taxpayer on business travel.

Bill: 111-s-261
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax deductions
Transportation costs
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the restrictions on the tax deduction for the travel expenses of a taxpayer's spouse, dependent, or other individual accompanying the taxpayer on business travel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-263
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government liability
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 - Waives a state's sovereign immunity with respect to the enforcement of uniformed services members' employment or reemployment rights or benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
 
Makes unenforceable agreements between an employer and employee requiring arbitration of disputes arising under USERRA. Provides exceptions. Requires the validity and enforceability of such an agreement to be determined by a court (as opposed to the arbitrator).
 
Provides increased liquidated damages, and authorizes punitive damages, against state or private employer violations of USERRA. Provides a right to a jury trial in such cases.
 
Requires (under current law, authorizes) the award of attorney fees in actions to enforce USERRA.
 
Defines &quot;successor in interest&quot; for USERRA purposes.
 
Prohibits wage discrimination against members covered under USERRA.
 
Requires (under current law, authorizes) a court to use equitable relief, including injunctions and restraining orders when appropriate, for USERRA violations.
 
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require federal procurement contracts to include a notice that the contractor may have USERRA obligations.
 
Requires a Comptroller General study on the effectiveness of federal education and outreach programs on employer obligations under USERRA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-81.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
E-Centives Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-264
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
E-Centives Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for payments to each state that provides incentive payments to physicians, hospitals, community health centers, rural health clinics, and community mental health centers that exhibit meaningful use of certified health information technology.
 
Directs the Secretary to provide for payments to each state that establishes a program to: (1) design, develop, install, maintain, and operate electronic information and eligibility systems and patient registries for the purpose of disease screening; (2) coordinate benefits and services under Medicare and Medicaid for full-benefit dual eligible individuals under the state plan; and (3) train providers in the use of such systems and registries. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on Medicaid transformation payments to states for the adoption of innovative methods to improve effectiveness and efficiency in providing medical assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S616-617)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-265
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Public contracts and procurement
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2009 - Prohibits any person who has a seriously delinquent tax debt from obtaining a federal government contract or grant. Requires federal agency heads to require prospective contractors or grantees to: (1) certify that they do not have such a debt; and (2) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose information describing whether such contractors or grantees have such a debt. 

Defines &quot;seriously delinquent tax debt&quot; and an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-266
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Medicare
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reduce the coverage gap in prescription drug coverage under SSA part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program), based on savings to the Medicare program resulting from the negotiation of prescription drug prices.
 
Grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority similar to that of other federal entities that purchase prescription drugs in bulk to negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs.
 
States that the Secretary shall be required to: (1) negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs for each fallback prescription drug plan; and (2) participate in negotiation of contracts of any covered part D drug upon request of an approved prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a particular formulary or instituting a price structure for the reimbursement of covered part D drugs in order to carry out, and promote competition, under part D.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Summer and Year-Round Jobs for Youth Stimulus Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-267
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Summer and Year-Round Jobs for Youth Stimulus Act of 2009 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor for summer and year-round youth jobs and training programs for individuals aged 14 to 24 under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 which are directly linked to academic and occupational learning for calendar 2009-2010. Prohibits the use of such funds for unpaid jobs, statewide workforce investment activities, or the award of certain youth opportunity grants.
 
Requires local areas receiving such funds to give priority to providing: (1) work experiences in public and nonprofit sector green-collar jobs and in other viable industries such as health care; and (2) job referral services for youth to work jobs in green-collar industries.
 
Defines &quot;green-collar industries&quot; as those industries that offer jobs for compensation that promote energy efficiency, energy conservation (including renewable energy and clean technology), and environmental protection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S617)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act

Bill: 111-s-268
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Consumer affairs
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Low- and moderate-income housing
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Green-Collar Youth Jobs, Education, and Training Stimulus Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor to expand the Job Corps program to: (1) establish a Green Job Corps program that provides for the development of academic skills and paid jobs in green-collar industries to create a corps of energy- and environmentally-conscious consumers; and (2) award YouthBuild Build Green Grants and Green-Collar Youth Opportunity Grants to eligible entities and organizations to provide eligible youth with education, jobs, and training in green-collar industries, including the weatherization and energy retrofitting of low-income homes and buildings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S617-619)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Retooling America's Workers for a Green Economy Act

Bill: 111-s-269
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Disability and paralysis
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Public-private cooperation
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Retooling America's Workers for a Green Economy Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to reserve specified portions of certain appropriations to: (1) award national emergency grants and provide additional assistance to eligible entities for employment and training activities in green-collar industries for dislocated workers affected by major economic dislocations or a major disaster, as well as assistance for statewide rapid response activities for permanent closures or mass layoffs; (2) make allotments to states and outlaying areas to provide employment and training activities in green-collar industries for adults with multiple barriers to employment; and (3) carry out the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S619-620)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Fuel Reduction using Electrons to End Dependence on the Mid-East (FREEDOM) Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-271
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Electric power generation and transmission
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Manufacturing
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Fuel Reduction using Electrons to End Dependence on the Mid-East (FREEDOM) Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an election to expense the cost of manufacturing property for producing plug-in electric drive motor vehicles and components; (2) increase the number of such vehicles eligible for a tax credit; (3) allow a five-year recovery period for the depreciation of smart meters and smart grid systems; and (4) increase the rate of the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property and the maximum credit amount for commercial refueling property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Derivatives Trading Integrity Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-272
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Commodities markets
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Derivatives Trading Integrity Act of 2009 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) repeal the exemption or exclusion from regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of specified derivative transactions, swap transactions, and related electronic trading facilities; (2) restrict futures trading to contract markets or derivatives transaction execution facilities; and (3) abolish exempt boards of trade.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S627-628)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S626-627)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the designation of the federally occupied building located at McKinley Avenue and Third Street, S.W., Canton, Ohio, as the "Ralph Regula Federal Office Building and Courthouse".

Bill: 111-s-273
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2009-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
House of Representatives
Members of Congress
Ohio

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 
Directs the Administrator of General Services to ensure that the federally occupied building located at McKinley Avenue and Third Street, S.W., Canton, Ohio, is known and designated as the &quot;Ralph Regula Federal Office Building and Courthouse.&quot;

action_date: 2009-01-15
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Directs the Administrator of General Services to ensure that the federally occupied building located at McKinley Avenue and Third Street, S.W., Canton, Ohio, is known and designated as the &quot;Ralph Regula Federal Office Building and Courthouse.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-19
text: For further action see P.L. 111-74 (H.R. 1687).
action_date: 2009-01-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S630; text as passed Senate: CR S630)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S630; text as passed Senate: CR S630)
action_date: 2009-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-274
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2009-01-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Unemployment
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: 
Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a work opportunity tax credit for the hiring in 2009 or 2010 of unemployed veterans discharged from active duty during 2008, 2009, or 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security and Medicare Solvency Commission Act

Bill: 111-s-276
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget process
Government trust funds
Legislative rules and procedure
Medicare
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: 
Social Security and Medicare Solvency Commission Act - Establishes the National Commission on Entitlement Solvency to review and report to the President and Congress on the Social Security and Medicare programs with respect to: (1) their current and long-term actuarial financial condition; (2) problems that may threaten their long-term solvency, and potential solutions; and (3) recommendations and proposed legislative language that will ensure their long-term solvency and the provision of appropriate benefits.
 
Provides for expedited congressional consideration of Commission recommendations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S652-653)
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Incentive to Serve Tax Act

Bill: 111-s-278
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-01-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: 
Incentive to Serve Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business tax credit for 25% of wages paid to employees while such employees are performing certain services (e.g., services advancing the improvement of education, health care access, energy conservation, economic opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, and disaster preparedness and response) for charitable organizations and community agencies. Limits the amount of wages eligible for such credit to $100,000 per employee. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S653-654)
action_date: 2009-01-16
text: Introduced in Senate