hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Lieutenant Colonel Dominic "Rocky" Baragona Justice for American Heroes Harmed by Contractors Act

Bill: 111-s-526
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Crime victims
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Jurisdiction and venue
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Lieutenant Colonel Dominic "Rocky" Baragona Justice for American Heroes Harmed by Contractors Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to include, with respect to any contract for work to be performed outside the United States that is approved and financed by the U.S. government, requirements that: (1) the contractor consent to in personam jurisdiction over the contractor by the federal courts with respect to any suit alleging serious bodily injury of a member of the Armed Forces, civilian government employee, or U.S. citizen employee of a company performing work for the government, or any civil or criminal suit brought by the government alleging wrongdoing associated with the performance of the contract; and (2) a contractor awarded a contract with a value of $5 million or more that does not maintain a U.S. office designate an agent in the United States for service of process in such a suit.
 
Requires a contractor to consent to federal court jurisdiction in any civil or criminal action commenced between September 11, 2001, and the date of enactment of this Act as a condition of entering into any contract with the U.S. government, or receiving payment for performing any activity under such a contract, on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
 
Requires the Director to amend FAR to provide that a U.S. government contractor may be debarred or suspended from contracting for: (1) evading service of process in such a suit; or (2) refusing or failing to appear before a federal court in a matter brought against the contractor by the U.S. government or a U.S. citizen or national in connection with contract performance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-18
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight. Hearings held.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Clean Air act to prohibit the issuance of permits under title V of that Act for certain emissions from agricultural production.

Bill: 111-s-527
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Licensing and registrations
Livestock

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the issuance of permits under such Act for any carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions resulting from biological processes associated with livestock production.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Caging Prohibition Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-528
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Caging Prohibition Act of 2009 - Prohibits state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting (including by provisional ballot) in any election for federal office, or permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote in a federal election, if the sole basis for such decision or challenge is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; (3) the foreclosure status of the individual's residence; or (4) certain information indicating a change of residence.
 
Defines &quot;voter caging document&quot; as: (1) any nonforwardable document that is sent to an individual at the address at which such individual is registered (or seeking to become registered) as a voter in a federal election, and that is returned to the sender or to a third party as undelivered or undeliverable; and (2) any document (other than a notice warning of possible removal from the voting rolls) sent to an individual at the address at which such individual is registered containing instructions to return the document to the sender or a third party, but is not so returned.
 
Defines &quot;unverified match list&quot; as one produced by: (1) matching the identity of registered voters or voter registration applicants with the identity of individuals who are ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction, by virtue of death, conviction, change of address, mental impairment, or otherwise, unless the process for matching the identities establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the identities belong to the same individual; or (2) failing to match the identity of registered voters or voter registration applicants with the identity of individuals listed in the database of the state motor vehicle authority or in information provided by the Commissioner of Social Security under a verification agreement.
 
Outlines requirements for challenges to an individual's registration or voting eligibility by persons other than election officials.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Muscogee Nation of Florida Federal Recognition Act

Bill: 111-s-530
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Florida
Indian lands and resources rights

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Muscogee Nation of Florida Federal Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Muscogee Nation of Florida (the Nation).
 
Makes the Nation and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes. Considers, for the purpose of the delivery of federal services to members, the service area of the Nation to be: (1) the community of Bruce in Walton County, Florida; and (2) an area in Florida in which members reside that is bordered on the west by the Escambia River and on the east by the St. Marks River. 
 
Requires that the constitution and bylaws of the Nation be the constitution and bylaws of the Nation's Tribal Council dated January 21, 2001 (including amendments). Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, upon receipt of a written request of the Tribal Council, to hold a referendum for members to adopt a new constitution and bylaws.
 
Specifies the role and duties of the Tribal Council. 
 
Requires that the membership roll of the Nation be determined in accordance with the membership criteria established by the ordinance of the Nation numbered 04-01-100 and dated February 7, 2004. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy and Water Integration Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-531
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government studies and investigations
New Mexico
Research and development
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Energy and Water Integration Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact of energy development and production on U.S. water resources. Requires the study to include a lifecycle assessment of the quantity of water withdrawn and consumed in the production of transportation fuels or electricity.
 
Requires the Secretary to conduct a study to identify the best available technologies and related strategies to maximize water and energy efficiency in the production of electricity by each type of generation (coal, oil and natural gas, hydropower, thermal solar, and nuclear).
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior: (1) acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to conduct a study to evaluate the quantities of energy used in water storage and delivery operations in major reclamation projects; and (2) to operate, manage, and maintain the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Otero County, New Mexico, to carry out research, development, and demonstration activities to develop technologies and methods that promote brackish groundwater desalination as a viable method to increase water supply in a cost-effective manner.
 
Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to require the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to conduct an assessment of energy consumption in various sectors of the economy that are associated with the acquisition, treatment, or delivery of water.
 
Requires the Secretary to develop an Energy-Water Research and Development Roadmap. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-19.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2831-2832)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2830-2831)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Commercial Fishermen Safety Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-532
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Commercial Fishermen Safety Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow commercial fishermen a business-related tax credit for up to 75% of the cost of certain fishing safety equipment. Limits the annual amount of such credit to $1,500.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Working Waterfront Preservation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-533
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aquaculture
Land transfers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Working Waterfront Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to award a grant to a state or local government of a coastal state, a nonprofit organization, or a fishing cooperative for projects to: (1) acquire real property in a coastal state to provide access to commercial fishermen or persons in the aquaculture industry to coastal waters in working waterfront areas; or (2) make improvements to real property owned by an eligible entity in a coastal state to provide access to such persons to coastal waters in working waterfront areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2832-2833)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-534
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions
Home and outpatient care
Medicare
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act of 2009 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate part D cost-sharing for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals with income below 135% of the poverty line who: (1) reside in an assisted living facility, a resident care program facility, a board and care facility, or any other appropriate licenced facility, including a community mental health center, a psychiatric health facility, a mental health rehabilitation center, and a mental retardation developmental disability facility; or (2) receive home and community-based services in a home setting under a home and community-based waiver.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-535
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or would be entitled to such pay except for being under 60 years of age.
 
Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.
 
Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify the definition of the term "renewable biomass".

Bill: 111-s-536
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
 Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the definition of &quot;renewable biomass&quot; to include: (1) slash and precommercial sized thinnings harvested in environmentally sustainable quantities from National Forest System land or public land, other than components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, wilderness study areas, inventoried roadless areas and all unroaded areas of at least 5,000 acres, old growth stands, components of the National Landscape Conservation System, and national monuments; and (2) biomass obtained on land in any ownership from the immediate vicinity of any building, camp, or public infrastructure facility (including roads) at risk from wildfire.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2834)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2833-2834)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-537
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Evidence and witnesses
Freedom of information
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a court from entering an order restricting the disclosure of information obtained through discovery, approving a settlement disagreement that would restrict such disclosure, or restricting access to court records in a civil case, unless the court has found that: (1) such order would not restrict the disclosure of information which is relevant to the protection of public health or safety; or (2) the public interest in the disclosure of potential health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the privacy interest. Prohibits any party from requesting, as a condition for the production of discovery, that another party stipulate to an order that would violate this Act. 
 
Prohibits a court from: (1) approving or enforcing an order prohibited under this Act, or any provision of an agreement between parties to a civil action, that restricts a party from disclosing information to any federal or state agency with authority to enforce laws regulating an activity relating to such information; or (2) enforcing any provision of a settlement agreement that prohibits a party from disclosing that a settlement was reached or the terms of the settlement, other than the amount paid, or from discussing a case or evidence that involves matters related to public health or safety, except where the court finds that the public interest in disclosure of potential health and safety hazards is outweighed by a confidentiality interest.
 
Creates a rebuttable presumption that the interest in protecting personally identifiable information relating to an individual's financial, health, or other similar information outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
 
Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit, require, or authorize the disclosure of classified information, as defined under the Classified Information Procedures Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2835)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2834-2835)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act

Bill: 111-s-538
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child health
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Mental health
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive, renewable, five-year grants to partnerships between low-income local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools offering graduate programs in school counseling, social work, or psychology to increase the number of program graduates employed by low-income LEAs.
 
Defines &quot;low-income LEAs&quot; as those that: (1) serve students at least 20% of which are from low-income families; (2) have ratios of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists to students that fall at least 10% below specified target ratios; and (3) have been identified as needing improvement or corrective action or include at least one school identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
 
Allows the use of grant funds to: (1) provide program graduate students with field training at partnership LEA schools; (2) contribute to program graduates' salaries at such schools for up to three years after they graduate; (3) increase the number of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists per student, and from underrepresented backgrounds, in such schools; (4) enhance the capacity of partnership graduate schools to train such professionals; (5) develop course work designed to facilitate such graduates' service to low-income LEAs and at-risk students; and (6) provide tuition credits to such graduate students and student loan forgiveness to program graduates employed as school counselors, social workers, or psychologists by low-income LEAs for at least five consecutive years.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a program providing student loan forgiveness to non-participants in this Act's grant program who have been employed for at least five consecutive years as school counselors, social workers, or psychologists by low-income LEAs.
 
Requires the Secretary to identify a formula for future use in designating regions as eligible for benefit programs because of having a shortage of such school personnel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2836-2838)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2835-2836)
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Medical Device Safety Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-540
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Federal preemption
Health technology, devices, supplies
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Medical Device Safety Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit specified provisions preempting state and local requirements for medical devices intended for human use from being construed to modify or otherwise affect any action for damages or the liability of any person under state law. Makes this Act effective as if it were included in the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 and applicable to any civil action pending or filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-04
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-1031.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate