hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Incentives for Older Workers Act

Bill: 111-s-4012
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2010-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Aging
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: 
Incentives for Older Workers Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to prohibit a reduction in benefits for an employee under a defined benefit pension plan who has begun a phased retirement and was employed on a substantially full-time basis during the previous 12-month period before phased retirement.
 
Defines &quot;phased retirement&quot; as the period when an employee is employed on substantially less than a full-time basis or with substantially reduced responsibilities after reaching age 50 or completing 30 years of creditable service under the plan.
 
Amends the Social Security Act to raise from 70 to 72 the age up to which inidividuals are allowed to earn delayed retirement credits for purposes of the calculation of increased old-age insurance benefit payments.
 
Revises federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits requirements to eliminate the 50% reduction in such benefits due to an individual who claims benefits before reaching 66 years old and who continues to work. (Retains the 33 1/3% offset.)
 
Directs the Secretary of Labor to award a grant to establish a National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce to act as a national information clearinghouse on workforce issues, challenges, and solutions for older workers.
 
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to revise the composition of state and local workforce investment boards to include representatives of older individuals. Sets aside 5% of WIA funds allocated to local areas for certain adult employment and training activities for activities for older workers.
 
Amends the IRC to expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to qualified older workers (age 55 or older whose income does not exceed 125% of the poverty line).
 
Allows certain defined benefit pension plans to define normal retirement age as the earlier of the attainment of: (1) a specified allowed age; or (2) at least 30 years of service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a rule to improve the daytime and nighttime visibility of agricultural equipment that may be operated on a public road.

Bill: 111-s-4013
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2010-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
General agriculture matters
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Motor vehicles
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a rule: (1) to improve the daytime and nighttime visibility of agricultural equipment operating on public roads; and (2) that establishes minimum lighting and marking standards for such equipment.
 
Requires the Secretary to review and revise such standards at least once every five years to reflect the latest revision of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Standard 279 entitled &quot;Lighting and Marking of Agricultural Equipment on Highways&quot;. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the replacement or rebuilding of a vessel for the Non-American Fisheries Act trawl catcher processors that comprise the Amendment 80 fleet.

Bill: 111-s-4014
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2010-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska
Department of Commerce
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Pacific Ocean
Transportation safety and security
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations that allow for the replacement or rebuilding of a vessel qualified under specified sections of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005 related to: (1) the non-American Fisheries Act trawl catcher processor subsector; and (2) the catcher processor sector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area non-pollock groundfish fishery.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8600)
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8600)
action_date: 2010-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Access to Historical Records Act

Bill: 111-s-4015
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2010-12-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Census and government statistics
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-08
text: 
Public Access to Historical Records Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish an official dataset on the historical temperature record. 
 
Requires NASA to utilize the raw data related to temperature that is collected by applicable stations and vessels and to quantify the statistical uncertainty of each temperature observation and any subsequent products based on that observation. 
 
Requires the gaps that exist in temperature station and temperature reading data to be clearly and fully identified. 
 
Creates a panel to assist the Administrator in the establishment of the dataset. 
 
Requires the Administrator of NASA, at least once every three years, to contract with an appropriate independent entity to perform a verification and validation of the dataset and requires the publication of any algorithms utilized, and any determinations made, in verifying and validating the dataset. 
 
Requires persons and entities engaged in global climate research funded by the federal government to utilize the dataset as a source of data on the historical temperature record. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide for the immediate release of: (1) all raw temperature station data from cooperative observers and automated stations collected by the National Climatic Data Center; and (2) an analysis of the differences between raw and final temperature datasets collected by the Center. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2010-12-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the CDBG service cap.

Bill: 111-s-4017
Sponsor: Sen. LeMieux, George S. [R-FL]
Introduced: 2010-12-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Housing and community development funding

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-08
text: 
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with respect to the use of community development block grant (CDBG) funds to provide public services, including those concerned with employment, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse, education, energy conservation, welfare, or recreation needs.
 
Increases from 15% to 25% for FY2011 and FY2012 the limit on the amount of CDBG assistance that may be used for such public services by a unit of general local government. Increase from 15% to 25%, also, for such fiscal years the statewide limit on the use of CDGB assistance by nonentitled communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2010-12-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Life Sciences Jobs and Investment Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-4018
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2010-12-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Medical research
Research administration and funding
Small business
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: 
Life Sciences Jobs and Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an increased research tax credit for qualified initial life sciences research expenses; and (2) certain corporations a tax deduction for dividends received which are reinvested in the United States to hire scientists and researchers engaged in life science research, fund life science research at research consortia, eligible small businesses, universities, and federal laboratories, or build or lease new facilities to be used primarily for qualified life sciences research. Terminates such tax incentives after 2015. 
 
 Defines &quot;qualified initial life sciences research expenses&quot; as amounts, up to $150 million, attributable to the study of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, microbiology, genetics, or physiology, but excluding sociology or psychology. 
 
Directs the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to take necessary steps to ensure full compliance with the provisions of this Act and to report to Congress on the status of such compliance and related enforcement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Congressional Made in America Promise Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-4019
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2010-12-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Buy American requirements
Congressional agencies
Congressional operations and organization
House of Representatives
Public contracts and procurement
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: 
Congressional Made in America Promise Act of 2010 - Amends the Buy American Act to apply Buy American requirements to articles, materials, and supplies acquired for the use of any legislative branch office, including the House of Representatives and the Senate, in the same manner as the Act applies with respect to articles, materials, and supplies acquired for the use of a department or independent establishment.
 
Prescribes a special rule in the case of any product which bears a congressional official insignia (including a mark resembling an official seal) that is acquired for the use of a legislative branch office. Prohibits the head of such office from making a determination under the Act that: (1) it is inconsistent with the public interest to enter into a contract in accordance with the Act; or (2) an article, material, or supply is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of satisfactory quality.
 
Applies this prohibition to otherwise exempted manufactured articles, materials, or supplies procured under any contract the award value of which is less than or equal to the micro-purchase threshold.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring the 10th Amendment Act

Bill: 111-s-4020
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2010-12-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Federal district courts
Intergovernmental relations
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: 
Restoring the 10th Amendment Act - Authorizes a designated state official to file with the head of a federal agency proposing a rule, during the period when the proposed rule is required to be open for public comment, a legal brief challenging the constitutionality of the rule under the Tenth Amendment. 
 
Directs the agency head: (1) to notify the designated official of each state within 15 days after such a brief is filed; (2) to post prominently on the agency's primary Web page a link to the brief; and (3) within 15 days after posting such link, to certify in writing that such rulemaking does not violate the Tenth Amendment and post the certification prominently on the front page of the agency's website, unless the agency determines it will not put the proposed rule into effect.
 
Authorizes a state official who decides to challenge a federal rule on the grounds that it violates the Tenth Amendment to elect to file a legal action in U.S. district court for the district in which the official's place of business is located. Directs the relevant U.S. Court of Appeals, at the request of a designated state official, to grant expedited review of a decision by a district court in such a case.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Internet and Cybersecurity Safety Standards Act

Bill: 111-s-4021
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2010-12-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Subversive activities
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: 
Internet and Cybersecurity Safety Standards Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct an analysis to determine the costs and benefits of requiring Internet service providers, communications service providers, electronic messaging providers, electronic mail providers, and other persons who provide a service or capability to enable computers to connect to the Internet to develop and enforce minimum Internet and cybersecurity safety standards for users of computers to prevent terrorists, criminals, spies, and other malicious actors from compromising, disrupting, damaging, or destroying computer networks, critical infrastructure, and key resources. Directs the Secretary to consider the effect that such standards may have on homeland security, the global economy, innovation, individual liberty, and privacy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8714)
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8713-8714)
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-4022
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2010-12-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Defense
Military personnel and dependents
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: 
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 - Provides for repeal of the current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, to be effective 60 days after the Secretary of Defense has received DOD's comprehensive review on the implementation of such repeal, and the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) certify to the congressional defense committees that they have considered the report and proposed plan of action, that DOD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by such repeal, and that implementation of such policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and military recruiting and retention. Provides that, until such time as the above conditions are met, the current policy shall remain in effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2010-12-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-4023
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2010-12-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Defense
Military personnel and dependents
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: 
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 - Provides for repeal of the current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, to be effective 60 days after the Secretary of Defense has received DOD's comprehensive review on the implementation of such repeal, and the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) certify to the congressional defense committees that they have considered the report and proposed plan of action, that DOD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by such repeal, and that implementation of such policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and military recruiting and retention. Provides that, until such time as the above conditions are met, the current policy shall remain in effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-13
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 688.
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Enhancements for Needed Drugs Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-4024
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2010-12-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Medicare
Military medicine
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: 
Medicare Enhancements for Needed Drugs Act of 2010 - Directs the Comptroller General to review and report to Congress on the retail cost of prescription drugs in the United States during 2004 through 2010, with an emphasis on the prescription drugs most utilized for individuals age 65 or older.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing study that compares the average retail cost in the United States for each of the 20 most utilized prescription drugs for individuals age 65 or older with: (1) the average prices at which private health plans, the Department of Defense (DOD) under the Defense Health Program, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquire each such drug; and (2) the average negotiated price for each such drug that eligible beneficiaries have access to under a Medicare prescription drug plan providing only basic prescription drug coverage.
 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to include in the comparative plan information for beneficiaries under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) a comparison of average aggregate prescription drug plan beneficiary costs and savings with such costs for a beneficiary with no prescription drug plan.
 
Repeals the prohibition against interference by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the negotiations between drug manufacturers and pharmacies and prescription drug plan sponsors. Authorizes the Secretary instead, like other federal entities that purchase prescription drugs in bulk, to negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs. Requires the use of the resulting savings to the Medicare Prescription Drug Account to strengthen the part D program and to reduce the federal deficit. 
 
Requires the Secretary to ensure that each part D eligible individual has: (1) a choice of enrollment in a comprehensive prescription drug plan in the area in which the individual resides; or (2) in any case in which such a plan is not available, the opportunity to enroll in a comprehensive fallback prescription drug plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8787-8788)
action_date: 2010-12-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require contractors to notify small business concerns that have been included in offers relating to contractors let by Federal agencies, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-4025
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2010-12-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Public contracts and procurement
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-14
text: 
Amends the Small Business Act to require an offeror with respect to a contract let by a federal agency that is to be awarded pursuant to the negotiated method of procurement that intends to identify a small business as a potential subcontractor: (1) notify the small business that the offeror intends to identify it as a potential subcontractor; and (2) include with the offer a written acknowledgment by the small business that it has received such notice. Provides penalties against offerors failing to provide such notification.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a reporting mechanism that allows subcontractors to report fraudulent activity by a contractor with respect to a federal small business subcontracting plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2010-12-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-4026
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2010-12-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2010-12-14
text: 
Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of the Minority Business Development Agency to establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide qualified minority businesses with technical assistance and contract procurement assistance. Outlines minority business qualification requirements for the Program, including that: (1) not less than 51% of the entity be directly and unconditionally owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged individuals; and (2) each officer or other individual exercising control over regular operations is a historically disadvantaged individual. Outlines specific types of technical assistance authorized under the Program.
 
Authorizes the Director to enter into agreements for the fulfillment of federal procurement contracts by, and contracting opportunities for, qualified minority businesses. Provides contract limits.
 
Allows the Director to terminate a qualified minority business from the Program under specified circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-12-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2010-12-14
text: Introduced in Senate