hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Fair Pay Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2151
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Legal fees and court costs
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.)
 
Prohibits the discharge of, or any other discrimination against, an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act, or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. 
Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. Allows any such action to be maintained as a class action. 
Directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to: (1) undertake studies and provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning effective means available to implement this Act; and (2) carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance with specified components related to the purposes of this Act. 
Makes conforming amendments relating to congressional and executive branch employees to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E999)
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
Foreign Business Bribery Prohibition Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2152
Sponsor: Rep. Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business ethics
Civil actions and liability
Foreign and international corporations
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
Foreign Business Bribery Prohibition Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to make a foreign concern liable for up to treble damages to any issuer, domestic concern, or U.S. person as a result of violating certain anti-bribery prohibitions. (In effect, authorizes a private right of action against such concerns.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
Second Amendment Restoration Act

Bill: 111-hr-2153
Sponsor: Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
Second Amendment Restoration Act - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the definition of &quot;crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year&quot; for purposes of allowing states to determine the eligibility of individuals convicted of minor crimes to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
To amend chapter 15 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for an additional, limited exception to the provision prohibiting a State or local officer or employee from being a candidate for elective office.

Bill: 111-hr-2154
Sponsor: Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
 Provides that the prohibition against a state or local officer or employee being a candidate for elective office shall not apply to any local government office of an area with a population of less than 100,000.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
To provide for the limitation on entry of steel, drywall, and cement products that fail to meet industry standards.

Bill: 111-hr-2155
Sponsor: Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at his or her discretion, to prohibit entry into the United States of steel, drywall, and cement products that fail to meet appropriate industry standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
Jason's Law

Bill: 111-hr-2156
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-21]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
Jason's Law - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) implement a pilot program to allocate funds to states, metropolitan planning organizations, and local governments that submit an application approved by the Secretary for eligible projects to establish long-term parking facilities for commercial motor vehicles (trucks) on the National Highway System; and (2) give priority to applicants that demonstrate a severe shortage of truck parking capacity and whose proposed projects are likely to have positive effects on highway safety, traffic congestion, or air quality.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2157
Sponsor: Rep. Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crimes against property
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Justice
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Genetics
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
DNA Expansion and Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states and local governments to purchase or improve forensic DNA technology. 
 
Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require state and local government grant applicants under the DNA identification program (Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program) to implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from all felons in their prisons; and (2) extend through FY2014 the authorization for appropriations for the grant programs for DNA identification and for improving forensic DNA technology.
 
Requires the Attorney General to provide grants to states and local governments to analyze property crimes, including burglary, larceny, theft (including motor vehicle theft), and arson. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a Federal income tax credit for the purchase of certain nonroad equipment with alternative power sources.

Bill: 111-hr-2158
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2009-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Environmental technology
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 25%, up to $1,000, of the cost of certain nonroad equipment (e.g., lawn, garden, or forestry power equipment) powered by alternative power sources.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-28
text: Introduced in House
Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2159
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Firearms and explosives
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to grant the Attorney General the authority to deny the transfer of firearms or the issuance of a federal firearms and explosives license to any individual if the Attorney General: (1) determines that such individual has been engaged in or has provided material support or resources for terrorist activities; and (2) has a reasonable belief that such individual may use a firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism. Allows any individual whose firearm or explosives license application has been been denied to bring legal action challenging the denial.
 
Prohibits the sale or distribution of firearms or explosives to any individual whom the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities. 
 
Permits the Attorney General to withhold information in firearms and explosives license denial revocation suits if the Attorney General determines that the disclosure of such information would likely compromise national security.
 
Authorizes the Attorney General to revoke firearms and explosives licenses and permits held by individuals determined to be engaged in terrorism. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2160
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency communications systems
Government studies and investigations
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) study the uses and capabilities of amateur radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief; (2) use the expertise of the American Radio Relay League in the study; and (3) report to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
Family and Medical Leave Restoration Act

Bill: 111-hr-2161
Sponsor: Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Employee leave
Family relationships
Personnel records
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Family and Medical Leave Restoration Act - Requires the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations promulgated under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) governing coverage and employee leave entitlements.
 
Repeals certain regulations promulgated on November 17, 2008, and restores those promulgated on January 6, 1996.
 
Directs the Secretary to revise regulations regarding an employer's request for recertification of a medical condition whose minimum duration is more than 30 days for leave taken because of an employee's own serious health condition or the serious health condition of a family member. Requires the Secretary to permit an employer to require such a recertification no earlier than: (1) the expiration of the length of time indicated in the original certification; or (2) one year after obtaining the original certification, if the original certification indicated that the medical condition would last longer than one year.
 
Directs the Secretary to revise the requirements for continuing treatment of a serious health condition to: (1) remove requirements for a specific number of periodic visits for treatment by a health care provider in order to qualify for leave; and (2) require only the treatment that the health care provider determines proper.
 
Requires the Secretary to revise any medical certification form templates to conform with this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to House Administration
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to House Education and Labor
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1008)
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
Fast Starts Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2163
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Public transit
Railroads
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Fast Starts Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to state and local government authorities for eligible new fixed guideway streetcar capital projects that are electricity- and rail-based.
 
Requires such an authority to submit by March 1, 2010, a grant application that certifies that a project has a sufficient degree of local financial commitment, meets certain environmental requirements, and can begin construction by March 1, 2012.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1010)
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
Federal Streetcar Revitalization Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2164
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Land use and conservation
Motor vehicles
Public transit
Railroads
Transportation programs funding
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Federal Streetcar Revitalization Act of 2009 - Revises small starts program requirements to increase the ceiling amounts of federal funding under a grant to state and local governments which will subject a new fixed guideway streetcar capital project to such requirements. Increases the maximum total federal funding for such a project from $75 million to $100 million, and the maximum total estimated net capital cost from $250 million to $300 million.
 
Revises selection criteria for such projects to require that a project be justified based on a review of its effect on local economic development and land use (as under current law), as well as travel patterns and greenhouse gas reduction potential. Repeals the requirement for review also of a project's cost effectiveness.
 
Requires the Secretary, in making a project justification, to determine the reduction in per capita auto travel demand and in greenhouse gas emissions that will result from the completed project.
 
Repeals certain other requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1012)
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
Bulk Power System Protection Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2165
Sponsor: Rep. Barrow, John [D-GA-12]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska
Computer security and identity theft
Department of Energy
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Government information and archives
Guam
Hawaii
Military facilities and property
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Bulk Power System Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish measures to protect the bulk power system against cybersecurity threats resulting from: (1) vulnerabilities identified in the June 2007 communication to certain &quot;Electricity Sector Owners and Operators&quot; from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation; and (2) related remote access issues.
 
Authorizes FERC to issue orders for emergency protective measures if the President provides FERC with a determination that an imminent cybersecurity threat to the system exists.
 
Directs FERC to promulgate rules and procedures to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of certain unclassified sensitive cybersecurity information. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to develop expertise and identify technical and electronic resources helpful to cybersecurity protection of the electric grid and all electric systems, including distribution-level electric systems.
 
Requires Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam to prepare a comprehensive plan identifying emergency measures to be taken to protect the electric power supply of the national defense facilities located in such jurisdictions in the event of an imminent cybersecurity threat.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide universal service support to head start programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-2166
Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Educational technology and distance education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Preschool education
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include Head Start agencies in the universal support program, which makes them eligible for discounts for advanced telecommunications services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los Caminos del Rio Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-2167
Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Lakes and rivers
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating a certain part of the Rio Grande River and the areas surrounding it and other areas in Texas having similar heritage aspects and that are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the surrounding areas as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-05-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to suspend the penalty on underpayments of Federal income tax for unemployed individuals.

Bill: 111-hr-2168
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2009-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend the penalty on underpayments of tax due to negligence, disregard of rules or regulations, or substantial inaccuracies for individuals who receive unemployment compensation in 2008 or 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Introduced in House