hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to provide for the appointment of United States Science Envoys.

Bill: 111-s-838
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Cultural exchanges and relations
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
International exchange and broadcasting
International scientific cooperation
Medical research
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of State, under the authority, direction, and control of the President and in accordance with the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, to increase the number of educational and cultural exchange activities involving persons from scientific, medicine, research, and academic sectors by: (1) establishing new Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs; and (2) expanding the coverage of existing Programs. 
 
Directs the Secretary to appoint United States Science Envoys to represent the U.S. commitment to collaborate with other countries to promote the advancement of science and technology throughout the world. 

action_date: 2009-05-07
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Authorizes the Secretary of State, under the authority, direction, and control of the President and in accordance with the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, to increase the number of educational and cultural exchange activities involving persons from scientific, medicine, research, and academic sectors by: (1) establishing new Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs; and (2) expanding the coverage of existing Programs. 
 
Directs the Secretary to appoint United States Science Envoys to represent the U.S. commitment to collaborate with other countries to promote the advancement of science and technology throughout the world based on issues of common interest and expertise. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 58.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-05-05
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4515-4516)
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Prepare All Kids Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-839
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child care and development
Education programs funding
Government trust funds
Preschool education
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Prepare All Kids Act of 2009 - Creates a part I (High Quality Prekindergarten Programs) under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Implements such part by requiring the Secretary of Education to establish a Prekindergarten Incentive Fund from which matching grants shall be awarded to states and, through them, subgrants to qualified prekindergarten providers to establish, expand, or enhance voluntary high quality full-day prekindergarten programs serving children ages three through five.
 
Directs state grantees to set aside: (1) at least 15% of their grant for quality early childhood development programs for children ages zero through three; and (2) at least 10% of their grant to extend the hours of early childhood programs to create extended day and year programs.
 
Requires prekindergarten subgrantees to: (1) maintain a maximum class size of 20 children, with at least 1 prekindergarten teacher per classroom; and (2) ensure that the ratio of children to prekindergarten teachers and teacher aides does not exceed 10 to 1.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4517-4519)
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4516-4517)
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
International Clean Energy Development Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-840
Sponsor: Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Asia
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Executive agency funding and structure
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
International Clean Energy Development Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish a Development and Commercialization Committee on Clean and Efficient Energy Technologies within the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate Program Office of the Department of State. 
 
Directs the Committee to: (1) evaluate information on clean and efficient energy technologies; (2) identify, prioritize, and carry out projects for the development and commercialization of clean and efficient energy technologies; and (3) report to the appropriate congressional committees on Committee progress and projects. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders unpaid balances on housing loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-842
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Amends the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to repeal the December 31, 2010, termination date on certain mortgage interest rate and foreclosure protections provided to servicemembers.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to a veterans' housing loan guaranteed through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that is modified under federal bankruptcy laws, to pay the holder of the mortgage obligation its unpaid balance, but only upon the assignment and transfer to the Secretary of all rights and interests with respect to the loan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-81.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Gun Show Background Check Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-843
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Gun Show Background Check Act of 2009 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require registration of gun show promoters and to set forth the responsibilities of promoters, licensees, and other transferors. 
Provides that if any part of a firearm transaction takes place at a gun show, each licensed importer, manufacturer, and dealer who transfers one or more firearms to a person who is not licensed shall, within 10 days after the transfer, submit a report of the transfer to the Attorney General. Sets forth penalties for violations. 
Grants the Attorney General authority to enter the place of business of any gun show promoter and any place where a gun show is held, during business hours and without a showing of reasonable cause or a warrant, for purposes of examining records and the inventory of licensees conducting business to determine compliance with this Act. 
Increases penalties for: (1) serious record-keeping violations by licensees; and (2) violations of criminal background check requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4519-4520)
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-844
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Department of Health and Human Services
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Hereditary and development disorders
Immunology and vaccination
Medical education
Medical research
Minority health
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Nutrition and diet
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide for: (1) ongoing research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) programs to treat diabetes in minority populations.
 
Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Diabetes Education Program, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused research programs. Requires the Director to make grants for a pipeline from high school to professional school that will increase minority representation in diabetes-focused health fields.
 
Directs the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to assess federal activities and programs related to diabetes in minority populations. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) conduct research on diabetes in minority populations; (2) direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to educate the public on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations; and (3) carry out diabetes health promotion and prevention programs for minority populations.
 
Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to educate health professionals on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations.
 
Sets forth additional requirements for the Secretary related to: (1) factors that may influence health promotion, diabetes management, and prevention; (2) data collection on diabetes treatment, care, prevention, and services to the American Indian population; (3) increased participation of minority populations in clinical trials; and (4) specialized care for children with diabetes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-845
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to provide for reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms in states that allow their residents to carry such firearms by persons who are not prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and who are: (1) carrying a valid state license or permit for carrying a concealed firearm; or (2) otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in their state of residence. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs.

Bill: 111-s-847
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2009-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: 
Exempts survivors' and dependents' educational assistance from the 48-month time limit on the use of assistance under various veterans' and related educational assistance programs.
 
Revives any entitlement reduced by the 48-month limit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-81.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act

Bill: 111-s-848
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2009-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Emergency communications systems
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: 
Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act - Authorizes states to regulate helicopter medical services with respect to: (1) the medical qualifications and training of helicopter medical personnel; and (2) the obligation of providers of helicopter medical services to comply with a state's health planning, patient safety, and medical service requirements. Prohibits states from imposing requirements on pilots.
 
Authorizes states to regulate the following aspects of helicopter medical services to the extent such regulations are harmonized with applicable federal operating requirements: (1) establishment of criteria for determination of the appropriate medical institution to receive a transported patient; (2) specification of service requirements with respect to geographic areas within a state or during specified hours and days; (3) coordination of flight requests for emergency helicopter medical services; (4) compliance with medical services accreditation requirements, except where they infringe upon relevant federal operating requirements; and (5) provision of emergency helicopter medical services to all persons where needed.
 
Authorizes a state to regulate certain aspects of helicopter medical services to the extent that such regulations are consistent with, and do not infringe upon, applicable federal operating requirements.
 
Specifies among the aspects of helicopter medical services which states may regulate: (1) the necessary medical equipment and supplies to be carried on board or affixed to the helicopter; (2) the physical attributes of the helicopter necessary for the provision of quality medical care and for the protection of helicopter, ground medical, and emergency response personnel; and (3) specified communication capabilities among helicopter medical personnel and emergency medical services and public safety personnel, and between the flight crew and helicopter medical personnel. Requires a provider of helicopter medical services that is licensed in more than one state where state helicopter medical services regulations are inconsistent to comply with the most stringent regulation.
 
Requires a state, if necessary, to establish regulations or negotiate mutual aid agreements with adjacent states, or providers of helicopter medical services in such states, to ensure access to such services across state borders.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Georges Bank Preservation Act

Bill: 111-s-851
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Massachusetts
Monuments and memorials
Oil and gas
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: 
Georges Bank Preservation Act - Prohibits the issuance of any lease or other authorization by the federal government for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in: (1) any marine national monument or national marine sanctuary; or (2) the fishing grounds known as Georges Bank in the waters of the United States. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to apply an alternative payment amount under the Medicare program for certain graduate medical education programs established to train residents displaced by natural disasters.

Bill: 111-s-852
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Health facilities and institutions
Medical education
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 2005, to provide for payments of direct graduate education costs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with an alternative payment methodology for eligible hospitals in or adjacent to a major disaster area which have established a program to educate residents displaced from a graduate medical education (GME) program impacted by such disaster.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-853
Sponsor: Sen. Kaufman, Edward E. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2009-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Delaware
Pennsylvania
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: 
White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act of 2009 - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate additional segments and tributaries of the White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 

action_date: 2010-03-02
text: 
White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act of 2009 - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate additional segments and tributaries of the White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 
 
Applies the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers System Act to such additional segments and tributiaries of White Clay Creek. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-03-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.
action_date: 2010-03-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with amendments. With written report No. 111-134.
action_date: 2010-03-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with amendments. With written report No. 111-134.
action_date: 2009-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2009-07-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-92.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4576)
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4575-4576)
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Water Affordability Act

Bill: 111-s-854
Sponsor: Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH]
Introduced: 2009-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: 
Clean Water Affordability Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to states for the purpose of providing grants to local or regional authorities or municipalities for use in planning, designing, and constructing treatment works to intercept, transport, control, or treat municipal combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows and municipalities for such purposes. Requires states or the Administrator to give priority to financially distressed communities.
 
Requires the Administrator, no later than December 31, 2010 (currently, 2003) and periodically thereafter, to report to Congress on recommended funding levels for sewer overflow control grants.
 
Requires the Administrator to update the guidance entitled &quot;Combined Sewer Overflows -- Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development&quot; dated February 1997, to ensure that the evaluations by the Administrator of financial capability assessment and schedule development meet specified criteria, including criteria used in assessing financial capability of a community to make investments necessary to make water quality-related improvements and in implementing water quality-related improvements.
 
Requires such updated guidance to indicate that it is appropriate for the reconsideration and modification of financial capability determinations and implementation schedules to be based on such criteria.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate