hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Pigford and Individual Indian Money Account Litigation Settlement Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3754
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Agriculture
Federal-Indian relations
Government Operations and Politics
Government liability
Government trust funds
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Minority education
Racial and ethnic relations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Pigford and Individual Indian Money Account Litigation Settlement Act of 2010 - Appropriates to the Department of Agriculture $1.15 billion to carry out the terms of a Settlement Agreement executed by 
In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation 
that is approved by a court order that has become final and nonappealable, and that is comprehensive and provides for the final settlement of all remaining Pigford claims (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture). Provides that the $1.15 billion shall be in addition to the $100 million in funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) made available for the payment of Pigford claims and are available only after such CCC funds have been fully obligated. Provides that if such Settlement Agreement is not executed and approved as provided above, then the sole funding available for Pigford claims shall be the $100 million of CCC funds.
 
 
Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Class Action Settlement Agreement dated December 7, 2009, in the case entitled 
Elouise Cobell et al. v. Ken Salazar et al.

 
Establishes the Trust Land Consolidation Fund, and provides for the deposit of $2 billion in the Fund, on final approval of the Settlement, with funds being made available to the Secretary of the Interior: (1) to conduct the Land Consolidation Program (a program under which the Secretary may purchase fractional interests in trust or restricted land); and (2) for other costs of the Settlement.
 
Establishes, on final approval of the Settlement, the Indian Education Scholarship Holding Fund to provide scholarships for Native Americans through an Indian Education Scholarship Fund.
 
 
Excludes amounts received by an individual Indian as a lump sum or a periodic payment pursuant to the Settlement from: (1) gross income and adjusted gross income under the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) being considered for purposes of determining eligibility or level of benefits under any federal or federally assisted program, during the one-year period beginning on the date of receipt.
 
Provides for the determination of incentive awards, fees, expenses, and costs under the Settlement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act

Bill: 111-s-3755
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Aviation and airports
Civil actions and liability
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Oil and gas
Pollution liability
Transportation employees
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act - Expands a shipowner's liability to claims not subject to limitation to include: (1) personal injury claims; (2) wrongful death claims; and (3) claims relating to oil drilling or exploration or the discharge of oil from a vessel or offshore facility. Excepts the owner of a fishing vessel from such limitation for claims for personal injury or wrongful death, unless the claim involves the privity or knowledge of the owner.
 
Allows punitive damages to be assessed without regard to the amount of compensatory damages assessed in a civil maritime action for damages arising out of a maritime tort, subject to exception.
 
Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to permit the personal representative of a decedent to bring a civil action in admiralty or law (limited to admiralty under current law) against the person or vessel responsible for the decedent's death when the death was caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond three nautical miles from the shore of the United States.
 
Allows recovery in such an action for fair compensation for nonpecuniary loss (limited to pecuniary loss under current law), plus a fair compensation for the decedent's pain and suffering. Defines &quot;nonpecuniary loss&quot; as loss of care, comfort, and companionship.
 
Amends provisions concerning commercial aviation accidents to include general aviation accidents.
 
Amends the Jones Act to allow recovery for the loss of care, comfort, and companionship of a seaman in a claim by the seaman's representative relating to oil drilling or exploration or the discharge of oil when the seaman died as the result of such oil drilling or exploration or the discharge of oil.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act

Bill: 111-s-3756
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Emergency communications systems
Government trust funds
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) ensure the deployment of a nationwide public safety interoperable broadband network in the 700 MHz band which is deployed in both rural and urban areas; (2) reallocate and integrate the 700 MHz D block spectrum for use by public safety entities; (3) permit flexible use of the narrowband spectrum; (4) ensure that the nationwide public safety broadband network is fully interoperable on a nationwide basis; and (5) establish a 10-year public safety advisory board.
 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the electromagnetic spectrum allocation for public safety services by 10 megahertz.
 
Permits the FCC, if consistent with the public interest for a licensee to relinquish voluntarily some or all of its licensed spectrum usage rights in order to permit the assignment of new initial licenses, to disburse to that licensee portions of the auction proceeds related to the new use that are attributable to the licensee's relinquished spectrum usage.
 
Extends FCC auction authority until September 30, 2020.
 
 Authorizes secondary use of the public safety spectrum, subject to specified limitations and conditions.
 
Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Safety Interoperable Broadband Network Construction Fund; and (2) the Public Safety Interoperable Broadband Network Maintenance and Operation Fund.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish a grant program to assist public safety entities establish a nationwide public safety interoperable broadband network in the 700 MHz band.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-23
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-1110.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6904)
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3757
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Due process and equal protection
Economic development
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Foreign aid and international relief
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
News media and reporting
Political movements and philosophies
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Somalia
Terrorism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2010 - Prohibits assistance to the government of Ethiopia unless the Secretary of State certifies annually that the government of Ethiopia has taken steps to: (1) ensure the freedoms of civil society organizations to pursue work on civic education, democratization, human rights, and conflict resolution; (2) respect the rights of and permit nonviolent political parties to operate free from intimidation, including releasing imprisoned opposition political leaders; (3) strengthen judicial independence; (4) allow Voice of America (VOA) and other independent media to operate without interference; (5) promote respect for human rights within its security forces, including investigating allegations of abuse; and (6) ensure that humanitarian and development entities have access to all regions of the country. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary, with a certification to Congress, to waive the prohibition if in the U.S. national security interest.
 
States that the prohibition shall not apply to: (1) health and HIV/AIDS assistance; (2) humanitarian assistance; or (3) emergency food aid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish and enforce a maximum somatic cell count requirement for fluid milk.

Bill: 111-s-3758
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Food supply, safety, and labeling

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act limit the somatic cell count in all dairy products sold, transported, or offered for sale or transport in interstate commerce to a maximum of 400,000 cells per milliliter of fluid milk, or equivalent, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes the Secretary to lower the maximum somatic cell count after consideration of any recommendations submitted by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require that the calculation of a herd average somatic cell count under this Act be made using a geometric, rather than an arithmetic, mean.
 
Subjects any person that sells, transports, or offers for sale or transport in interstate commerce any dairy product in violation of this Act to a civil penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to issue conditional commitments for loan guarantees under certain circumstances.

Bill: 111-s-3759
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Government lending and loan guarantees
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 regarding the terms and conditions governing loan guarantees for innovative technologies.
 
States that, if the Secretary of Energy submits a loan guarantee for review and comment to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Secretary may issue a conditional commitment to enter into such guarantee at least 30 days after that submittal, without further approval from the Director.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6904)
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6904)
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Automatic IRA Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3760
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Department of Labor
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Federal preemption
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Income tax credits
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Licensing and registrations
Securities
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Automatic IRA Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualified retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of automatic IRS arrangements and to establish a program to assist employers in the implementation of such arrangements; (3) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to automatic IRA arrangements; and (5) increase the tax credit for small employer pension plan start-up costs. 
 
 Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRAs, promoting the use of low-cost lifetime income arrangements, and using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6904-6905)
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to ensure that amounts appropriated to the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 remain available until September 30, 2010.

Bill: 111-s-3761
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Government lending and loan guarantees
Indian social and development programs

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Makes available amounts from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) appropriated for the Bureau of Indian Affairs--Indian Guaranteed Loan Program Account that were rescinded by a section of P.L. 111-226.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reinstate funds to the Federal Land Disposal Account.

Bill: 111-s-3762
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Requires the reinstatement of any balance remaining in the Federal Land Disposal Account as of July 24, 2010, to be made available for expenditure in accordance with the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-12
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 551.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6905)
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6905)
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend section 1716E of title 18, United States Code, to clarify the application of the exception for the noncommercial mailing of tobacco products to members of the Armed Forces.

Bill: 111-s-3764
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2010-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Military personnel and dependents
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Amends the federal criminal code, with respect to the noncommercial mailing of tobacco products to members of the Armed Forces, to exempt mailings of such products to members of the Armed Forces at a location outside the United States from certain weight, tracking, and minor verification requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3766
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [D-PA]
Introduced: 2010-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cell biology and embryology
Department of Health and Human Services
Medical ethics
Medical research
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: 
Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct and support research that utilizes human stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of reproductive treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) it was determined through consultation with the individuals seeking reproductive treatment that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking reproductive treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements.
 
Requires the Secretary to maintain, review every three years, and update as scientifically warranted, guidelines applicable to the conduct or support of human stem cell research by HHS. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from using any funds for the conduct or support of human cloning. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to include in its biennial report to Congress a summary of research activities on human stem cells.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7036-7038)
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Food Safety Accountability Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3767
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2010-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Summary:
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: 
Food Safety Accountability Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or a prison term of up to 10 years for knowingly introducing or delivering for introduction into interstate commerce any food that is adulterated or misbranded or for adulterating or misbranding any food in interstate commerce. 

action_date: 2010-09-23
text: 
Food Safety Accountability Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to impose an additional fine and/or a prison term of up to 10 years for knowingly violating prohibitions of such Act against adulteration or misbranding of any food, drug, device, tobacco product, or cosmetic, or against the introduction in interstate commerce of unsafe dietary supplements, with conscious or reckless disregard of a risk of death or serious bodily injury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-23
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 584.
action_date: 2010-09-23
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2010-09-23
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2010-09-23
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7038-7039)
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7038)
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to eliminate certain provisions relating to Texas and the Education Jobs Fund.

Bill: 111-s-3768
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2010-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: 
Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Education deny Texas and its local educational agencies funds from the Education Jobs Fund until the state assures the Secretary that: (1) funds used to support elementary and secondary education shall be distributed based on LEAs' relative shares of school improvement funds for the most recent fiscal year for which data are available; (2) such funds will not be used to supplant state formula funding that is distributed like school improvement funds; and (3) state funding for elementary and secondary education, as a percentage of the state's total revenue, will not be reduced through FY2013.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7039)
action_date: 2010-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate