hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Arts Require Timely Service Act

Bill: 111-s-1409
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Art, artists, authorship
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Arts Require Timely Service Act or the ARTS Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjudicate a visa petition filed by an employer on behalf of an alien with extraordinary ability in the arts (O- and P- visas other than athletes) and an accompanying alien not later than 30 days after: (1) the date on which the petitioner submits the petition with a written advisory opinion, letter of no objection, or request for a waiver; or (2) the date on which the 15-day period to comment upon a petition has expired if the petitioner has had an opportunity, as appropriate, to supply rebuttal evidence. 
 
Requires the petitioner to be provided premium-processing services without a fee if such petition is not adjudicated within the required time frame and the petitioner is a qualified nonprofit organization or is petitioning on behalf of a qualified nonprofit organization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7263)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Time for Innovation Matters in Education Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1410
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Performance measurement
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Time for Innovation Matters in Education Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to states to enable them to award competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) or partnerships between LEAs and other public or nonprofit entities to plan and implement expanded learning time initiatives at high-need schools that they serve.
 
Requires such initiatives to: (1) increase the total number of school hours each year at participant schools by at least 300 hours, compared to the school hours per year that are standard for comparable schools served by their LEAs; and (2) expand learning time for all students in all grade levels in such schools, except in high schools where expanded learning time must apply to at least one entire grade level.
 
Directs states to give subgrant priority to LEAs that serve a high percentage of students from low-income families and partnerships that include a nonprofit community-based organization or an organization focused on alternative learning or dropout prevention.
 
Permits the Secretary to: (1) award planning and implementation grants directly to a partnership that serves more that one area in more than one state; and (2) provide technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees in developing and implementing expanded learning time initiatives.
 
Requires the Secretary to contract with an independent organization with expertise in school improvement, program evaluation, and measurement to evaluate this Act's program and provide technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees in collecting data and evaluating their programs pursuant to specified performance measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7263-7265)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping PACE Act

Bill: 111-s-1411
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Adult education and literacy
Community life and organization
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Family relationships
Government information and archives
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Keeping Parents and Communities Engaged Act or the Keeping PACE Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award grants to states for competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive school improvement funds under part A of title I of the Act to enable such LEAs to assist public elementary and secondary schools to hire and maintain Parent and Community Outreach Coordinators responsible for improving family and community involvement in such schools. 
 
Gives subgrant priority to LEAs targeting schools with the highest proportions of needy students or students failing to meet state academic performance standards. Requires each assisted school to appoint a committee of school officials, parents, and community members to screen Coordinator applicants and evaluate Coordinator performance.
 
Directs state grantees to award competitive subgrants to partnerships between community-based organizations and public schools to connect integrated services and comprehensive supports to students and families to enhance student performance. Gives priority to applicants targeting schools with the highest proportions of needy students or students failing to meet state academic performance standards. 
 
Requires state grantees to award competitive matching subgrants to consortiums composed of a school, LEA, mayor, and at least one other community partner to redesign schools as centers of communities that encourage family and community participation in students' education and provide community education.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a nonprofit organization experienced in providing integrated student supports to: (1) provide technical assistance and training to this Act's grantees and subgrantees; and (2) establish a national information clearinghouse on effective parent, family, and community engagement practices and programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Commodity Speculation Reform Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1412
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Commodities markets
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Commodity Speculation Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from issuing a no action letter to any foreign board of trade that lists a contract whose price settles on the price of a contract traded on a CFTC-regulated exchange, unless the foreign board provides the CFTC with information and data accessibility comparable to those provided the CFTC by entities under its jurisdiction.
 
Directs the CFTC to promulgate regulations to establish and enforce speculative position limits for qualifying commodities, a methodology for aggregating specified positions, and information reporting rules to facilitate monitoring and enforcement of speculative position limits and over-the-counter commodity derivatives.
 
Prohibits a person from holding or controlling a position, separately or in combination, net long or net short, for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery or, on a futures-equivalent basis, any option, or an over-the-counter commodity derivative that exceeds CFTC speculative position limits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Adams National Historical Park Boundary Addition Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1413
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Massachusetts
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Presidential administrations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Adams National Historical Park Boundary Addition Act of 2009 - Amends the Adams National Historical Park Act of 1998 to revise the boundary of Adams National Historical Park to include the Quincy Homestead and carriage shed at 34 Butler Road in Quincy, Massachusetts, within the Park. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-282.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7265)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Compensation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1414
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Government liability
Jurisdiction and venue
Land transfers
Missouri
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Property rights
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Fair Compensation Act of 2009 - Confers upon the U.S. Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction to hear, determine, and render final judgment on any legal or equitable claim against the United States to receive just compensation for the taking of certain lands in the state of Missouri by reason of the decision and notice of interim trail use or abandonment authorized by the National Trails System Act and decided by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) on March 25, 1992.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7265-7266)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
North Korea Accountability Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1416
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alaska
Arms control and nonproliferation
Asia
Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Japan
Metals
Military facilities and property
Military procurement, research, weapons development
North Korea
Nuclear weapons
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sanctions
South Korea
Terrorism
Trade restrictions
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
North Korea Accountability Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of State to designate North Korea, for specified purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as a country that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
 
Authorizes the President to waive such requirement upon a certification to Congress that North Korea has taken certain actions regarding: (1) nuclear program and proliferation disclosures; (2) the illegal transfer of missile or nuclear technology; (3) support of international terrorist groups; and (4) prisoner release.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit, with waiver authority, a financial institution from engaging in financial transactions with a foreign bank that is engaged in a financial transaction with the government or a governmental agent of North Korea or a senior government or military official of North Korea. 
 
Directs the President to strengthen military cooperation with Japan and South Korea.
 
Sets forth reporting requirements regarding: (1) implementation of the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004; (2) financial transaction with North Korea or trade in precious metals produced in North Korea; (3) the North Korean nuclear weapons program; (4) counterproliferation efforts; (5) implementation of specified U.N. Security Council Resolutions; and (6) North Korean refugees admitted into the United States.
 
 
Authorizes appropriations for: (1) completion of ground-based missile interceptor deployment at Fort Greely, Alaska; (2) development of a variant of the F-22 fighter aircraft for sale to Japan; and (3) expansion of radio broadcasting to North Korea.
 
 Directs the Secretary of State to reallocate specified funds for programs to advance human rights for the people of North Korea.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1417
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land use and conservation
Mining
Pollution liability
Water quality
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
 
 
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2009 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) take steps to repair or maintain the structural integrity of the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel in Colorado, to prevent Tunnel failure and preclude uncontrolled release of water from any portion of the Tunnel; and (2) participate in the implementation of the operable unit 6 remedy for the California Gulch Superfund Site, as described in the 2003 Record of Decision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for such unit. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7267)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7266-7267)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Camp Hale Study Act

Bill: 111-s-1418
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Government studies and investigations
Military history
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
Camp Hale Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service (NPS), to complete a special resource study to determine: (1) the suitability and feasibility of designating Camp Hale, in Colorado, as a separate unit of the National Park System; and (2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of Camp Hale by the NPS, other government entities, or private or nonprofit organizations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7268)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7267)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Local Disaster Contracting Fairness Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1419
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-07-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: 
Local Disaster Contracting Fairness Act of 2009 - Prohibits the head of an executive agency from entering into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts unless the agreement specifies that: (1) all of the work under the contract will be performed by the prime contractor or one or more subcontractors at one tier under the contract; (2) any work performed under the contract by subcontractors will be performed by local subcontractors, except to the extent that local subcontractors are not available to perform any such work; (3) the prime contractor will act as the project manager or construction manager for the contract; and (4) the prime contractor has primary responsibility for managing all work under the contract and is to be paid a certain percentage of the overall value of the contract as sole compensation for assuming the risk associated with such responsibility. 

Requires the agency head, in entering into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts, to give preference in the source selection process to each offeror who certifies that any work that is to be performed under the contract by subcontractors will be performed by local subcontractors. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Natural Disaster Fairness in Contracting Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1420
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-07-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: 
Natural Disaster Fairness in Contracting Act of 2009 - Requires agencies, in entering into a contract to procure property or services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts, to use specified competitive procedures.

Allows agencies to enter into a contract to procure property or services in connection with such reconstruction efforts using other than full and open competition only upon the written approval of the President or the President's designee. Requires congressional notification when procedures other than full and open competitive procedures are to be used.
 
Instructs agencies that enter into a contract for the procurement of property or services in connection with such reconstruction efforts through the use of other than full and open competitive procedures to publish in the Federal Register or Federal Business Opportunities and otherwise make available to the public specified information concerning the contract seven days before it is finalized.
 
Permits the use of noncompetitive procedures by agencies when: (1) a contract will be performed within a six-month period; and (2) the need for the property or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the government would otherwise be seriously injured.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicaid Birth Center Reimbursement Act

Bill: 111-s-1423
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-07-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health facilities and institutions
Medicaid
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: 
Medicaid Birth Center Reimbursement Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize coverage under the Medicaid program for services at a non-hospital freestanding birth center where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman's residence.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7320-7321)
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhanced Violent Crime Community Policing Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1424
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-07-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: 
Enhanced Violent Crime Community Policing Act of 2009 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) allow the use of public safety and community policing grants to hire and train new career law enforcement officers for deployment in communities with high incidences of violent crime; (2) direct the Attorney General to make grants to local governments to hire and train new career law enforcement officers for deployment in high crime areas to enhance community policing in such areas; and (3) authorize the Attorney General to give preference to grant applications for the hiring and training of new career law enforcement officers for deployment in high crime areas. Specifies that grant amounts shall provide for a 5 to 10% increase in the size of a grantee's sworn police force. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Introduced in Senate
GROWTH Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1425
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2009-07-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Financial services and investments
Foreign aid and international relief
Free trade and trade barriers
Human rights
Property rights
Small business
Women in business
Women's employment
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: 
Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive Act of 2009 or GROWTH Act of 2009 - Targets assistance for women in developing countries with respect to: (1) microenterprises; (2) small and medium enterprises; (3) private property rights and land tenure security; (4) employment access; (5) trade benefits; (6) exchanges with U.S. entrepreneurs; and (7) Millennium Challenge Account assistance. 
 
Directs the Secretary of State to establish the Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive (GROWTH) Fund to enhance economic opportunities for very poor, poor, and low-income women in developing countries with a focus on: (1) increasing women-owned enterprise development; (2) increasing property rights for women; (3) increasing women's access to financial services; (4) increasing women in leadership in implementing organizations as well as financial service providers; (5) improving women's employment benefits and conditions; and (6) increasing women's ability to benefit from global trade. 
 
Directs the Secretary, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to: (1) provide support for tracking indicators on women's employment, property rights, access to financial services, and enterprise development; and (2) ensure foreign assistance project proposals include capacity building and technical assistance for local, indigenous, nongovernmental, organizations and community-based organizations dedicated to addressing the needs of women and women's organizations. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7321-7324)
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7408)
action_date: 2009-07-09
text: Introduced in Senate