hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-202
Sponsor: Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Department of Transportation
Insurance industry and regulation
Motor vehicles
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require all insurers and self-insurers of passenger motor vehicles to disclose to the public, in a commercially reasonable, electronically accessible manner, for each passenger motor vehicle declared or determined to be a total loss: (1) the vehicle identification number and odometer reading; (2) the date of and primary reason for the total loss determination; and (3) whether the airbags deployed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening the Visa Waiver Program to Secure America Act

Bill: 111-s-203
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
 Strengthening the Visa Waiver Program to Secure America Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) require current and new program countries to report on lost or stolen visas in order to participate in the program; (2) set a maximum 2% visa overstay rate for program countries; (3) require a reevaluation of program countries within one year; and (4) include arrival data in the required air entry and exit system and electronic travel authorization system. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S310-311)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S309-310)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-204
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government liability
International law and treaties
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2009 or NOPEC - Amends the Sherman Act to declare it to be illegal and a violation of the Act for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state or any other person, whether by cartel or any other association or form of cooperation or joint action, to limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product (petroleum), to set or maintain the price of petroleum, or to otherwise take any action in restraint of trade for petroleum, when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the market, supply, price, or distribution of petroleum in the United States. 

Denies a foreign state engaged in such conduct sovereign immunity from the jurisdiction or judgements of U.S. courts in any action brought to enforce this Act.

States that no U.S. court shall decline, based on the act of state doctrine, to make a determination on the merits in an action brought under this Act.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action in U.S. district court to enforce this Act.

Amends the federal judicial code to make an exception to the jurisdictional immunity of a foreign state in an action brought under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S311-312)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S311)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Southwest Border Violence Reduction Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-205
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Firearms and explosives
International organizations and cooperation
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Mexico
Organized crime
Smuggling and trafficking

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Southwest Border Violence Reduction Act of 2009 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) to expand resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border; and (2) provide ATF agents, equipment, and training to assist Mexican law enforcement officers in combating firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S312-313)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S312)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Early Education Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-206
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Preschool education

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Early Education Act of 2009 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to at least ten states to establish early education programs providing children with at least a half-day of schooling each week day during the academic year preceding kindergarten.
 
Requires each program to: (1) be carried out by one or more local educational agencies (LEAs), chosen by the state; (2) be available to all children served by the LEA or LEAs carrying out the program; and (3) involve only licensed or certified instructors. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S313)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act

Bill: 111-s-207
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for the first $2,000 ($4,000 in the case of a married couple filing jointly) of premiums paid for health insurance. Allows such deduction to taxpayers whether or not they itemize their tax deductions. Reduces the amount of such deduction for a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a married couple filing jointly). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S313)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Mynisha's Law

Bill: 111-s-208
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child care and development
Child health
Crime prevention
Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Health programs administration and funding
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Preschool education
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Mynisha's Law - Authorizes any local or tribal government to submit an application to the Attorney General for designation as a High Intensity Gang Activity Area. 

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish criteria for reviewing such applications; and (2) establish an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force in each Area. Directs each Task Force to: (1) coordinate government activities to create a comprehensive gang prevention response, focusing on early childhood intervention, at-risk youth intervention, literacy, employment, community policing, and comprehensive community-based programs such as Operation Cease Fire; (2) coordinate with local and regional gang prevention efforts; (3) prioritize the needs of each Area for funding under specified federal community assistance and grant programs; and (4) report to the Attorney General on the funding needs and programmatic outcomes for each Area.

Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Domestic Policy Council annually on: (1) the specific long-term and short-term goals and objectives of each Area; (2) the measurements used to evaluate each Area's performance; (3) the gangs and gang crimes committed in each Area; and (5) the programmatic outcomes and funding need of each Area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and extend the credit for alternative motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-209
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2012 the alternative motor vehicles tax credit for advanced lean burn technology, hybrid, and new alternative fuel motor vehicles; (2) increase the amounts of such credit; (3) repeal limitations on the number of hybrid and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles eligible for such credit; and (4) deny such credit to a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 in the case of married couples filing jointly). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-210
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Child care and development
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the rates and maximum allowable amount of the tax credit for employer-provided child care facilities; (2) increase the eligibility threshold amount and rate of the household and dependent care tax credit and make such credit refundable; (3) allow a new $2,000 tax credit for child care providers who hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child care, or a related degree and who provide at least 1,200 hours of child care services in a taxable year; and (4) increase the tax exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-211
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to each state to carry out a program for making available throughout that state the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. Requires a participating state to ensure that at least 50% of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a state seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative.
 
Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a state 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services to all citizens of that state with phone access, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers.
 
Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-213
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Consumer affairs
Department of Transportation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Requires each air carrier and airport operator to submit for approval by the Secretary of Transportation a proposed contingency plan meeting minimum standards established by the Secretary.
 
 Requires an air carrier to provide passengers on a departure- or arrival-delayed grounded aircraft with: (1) adequate food, water, restrooms, ventilation, and medical services; as well as (2) a time frame under which passengers may deplane a delayed aircraft after three hours, except in specified circumstances.
 
Requires an airport operator plan to describe: (1) how passengers will be deplaned following a long tarmac delay; and (2) how facilities will be shared and gates made available to aircraft that experience such delays.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to assess a civil penalty against air carriers and airport operators that fail to submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to a contingency plan. Requires public access to such plans.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a consumer hotline telephone number for air passenger complaints.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S314-315)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendments Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-214
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2009-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health care costs and insurance
Medicaid
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: 
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, to permit qualifying states to use their SCHIP allotments without fiscal year or percentage limitations for certain Medicaid expenditures for individuals under age 19 whose family income exceeds 150% of the poverty line.
 
Revises the eligibility requirements for such allowable expenditures to reduce the family income threshold from a minimum of 150% of the poverty line to a minimum of 125% of the poverty line.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S315)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S315)
action_date: 2009-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Boy Scouts of America Land Transfer Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-215
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Outdoor recreation
Utah

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Boy Scouts of America Land Transfer Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Utah National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts of America (the Boy Scouts) to convey to Brian Head Resort certain public land in Utah acquired under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act for the purpose of operating a camp in exchange for conveyance by Brian Head Resort of certain of its private land to the Boy Scouts. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Alexander Hamilton Boyhood Home Study Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-216
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Parks, recreation areas, trails
U.S. history
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Alexander Hamilton Boyhood Home Study Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Governor of the Virgin Islands, to conduct a special resource study of Estate Grange and other sites and resources associated with Alexander Hamilton's life on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Instructs the Secretary to evaluate the national significance of the sites and resources and the suitability and feasibility of designating them as a unit of the National Park System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to update the feasibility and suitability studies of four national historic trails, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-217
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Colorado
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
Oregon
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Utah
Washington State
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Amends the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) revise the feasibility and suitability studies for certain existing National Historic Trails for consideration of possible additions to such trails; and (2) study the feasibility and suitability of designating certain routes and cutoffs as components of the Oregon, Pony Express, California, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails and as shared components of the California and Oregon National Historic Trails. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Utah Public Land Conveyance Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-218
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Utah

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Utah Public Land Conveyance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Park City, Utah, two parcels of land known as the White Acre and Gamble Acre parcels. 

Requires the Secretary to conduct sales of the federal land identified as parcels 17 and 18. Provides for the disposition of the proceeds from such land sales. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the sale of approximately 25 acres of public land to the Turnabout Ranch, Escalante, Utah, at fair market value.

Bill: 111-s-219
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Utah

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
 Directs the Secretary of the Interior, if Turnabout Ranch of Escalante, Utah, submits an offer to the Secretary to acquire specified federal land for the appraised value, to convey to the Ranch all right, title, and interest to such land. 

Requires Turnabout Ranch to pay: (1) to the Secretary an amount equal to the appraised value of the federal land; and (2) any costs of the conveyance of such land. 

Modifies the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah to exclude the federal land conveyed to Turnabout Ranch when the conveyance is completed. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-220
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice. Sets a term of four years, which may be extended by additional reappointments. Authorizes the Chief Justice to remove an Inspector General from office.
 
Requires the Office to: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct in the Judicial Branch, including the U.S. Supreme Court; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse.
 
Provides for whistleblower protection.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to require energy commodities to be traded only on regulated markets, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-221
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Commodities markets
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: 
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to require energy commodities to be traded only on regulated markets.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S339)
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S338-339)
action_date: 2009-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate