hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
FOCUS Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3829
Sponsor: Rep. Brady, Robert A. [D-PA-1]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
Intergovernmental relations
Motor vehicles
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Fighting Occupied Cell Use So Everyone Drives More Safely Act of 2009 or the FOCUS Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a moving motor vehicle from using any communication device if he or she is under 21, and a hand-held communication device if he or she is 21 or older; and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties.
 
Defines &quot;communication device&quot; to mean any mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device which a user engages in a call or writes, sends, or reads a message.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Health and Wellness for Americans Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3830
Sponsor: Rep. Fortenberry, Jeff [R-NE-1]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Physical fitness and lifestyle

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Health and Wellness for Americans Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop an individual chronic disease prevention and wellness achievement matrix to: (1) assist individuals to lower their risks of chronic disease; (2) achieve overall reductions in the incidence of chronic disease on a national scale; and (3) lay the foundation for future policies that incentivize achievements.
 
Requires the matrix to consist of easily measurable, demonstrable, clinical factors for: (1) achieving the recommended body mass index (or alternatively, an individual's recommended waist circumference); (2) achieving recommended lipid profile levels that make up a full lipid panel (or alternatively, the recommended ratio of high density lipoprotein [HDL] to low density lipoprotein [LDL]); (3) achieving the recommended blood pressure level; (4) completing all cancer screenings for age and gender, based on guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; (5) achieving nonsmoking status; and (6) achieving the recommended fasting blood sugar level (or if diabetic, the recommended hemoglobin A1c level).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Hospice Support Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3831
Sponsor: Rep. Fortenberry, Jeff [R-NE-1]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Hospice Support Act of 2009 - Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to eliminate phase out of the Medicare hospice budget neutralilty adjustment factor. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
To amend chapters 81, 83, and 84 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for enhanced benefits for survivors of Federal public safety officers killed in the line of duty.

Bill: 111-hr-3833
Sponsor: Rep. Hall, John J. [D-NY-19]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Provides that the pay used to compute monthly compensation based on the death of a federal employee who died from personal injury sustained in the line of duty as a public safety officer, or any survivor annuity under such circumstances, shall be determined based on the pay grade or level which is one grade higher than would otherwise apply.
 
Entitles anyone who is eligible for such monthly compensation or annuity as the survivor of a public safety officer who died on or after January 1, 1974, to: (1) have such compensation or annuity recomputed upon application submitted within 12 months after enactment of this Act; and (2) a lump-sum payment for the period between January 1, 1974, and the date as of which regular monthly compensation or survivor annuity payments are adjusted to reflect the recomputation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Green Energy Investment Zone Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3834
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-27]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Energy efficiency and conservation
Income tax credits
Unemployment
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Green Energy Investment Zone Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow various energy-related tax credits for investment in energy property in high job-loss zones.
 
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 to allow increased grant amounts for investment in energy property in high job-loss zones.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Protection Against Wrongful Voter Purges Act

Bill: 111-hr-3835
Sponsor: Rep. Holt, Rush [D-NJ-12]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Evidence and witnesses
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Protection Against Wrongful Voter Purges Act - Amends the National Voter Registration Act to establish notice and review requirements for removal of individuals from a list of eligible voters by reason other than death or a change of residence, including removal by reason of mental incapacity.
 
Requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to adopt voluntary guidance with respect to audits of the statewide computerized voter registration list so that each state will be able to ensure that the list: (1) reflects an accurate and complete count of all individuals validly registered to vote in federal elections; and (2) is secure against unauthorized uses.
 
Revises requirements for removal of individuals from the official list of eligible voters by reason of change of residence. Permits removal upon state verification that the registrant has registered in a new jurisdiction. Specifies requirements for verification procedures.
 
Declares that, if any registrant who is subject to removal from the official list of eligible voters requests that the appropriate election official review the removal, the removal shall not take effect unless the official demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the registrant was properly removed.
 
 
Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state from refusing to register any applicant who has completed the national voter registration application form.
 
Prohibits delay or denial of registration on grounds of failure to match the applicant's driver's license or Social Security information with related information in the databases of state or federal governmental entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of Energy to provide credit support to enhance the availability of private financing for clean energy technology deployment.

Bill: 111-hr-3836
Sponsor: Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-2]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Business investment and capital
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
Government lending and loan guarantees
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Industrial facilities
Securities
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, for the purpose of enhancing the availability of private financing for clean energy technology development, to provide credit support and facilitate financing transactions to enable owners and users of buildings and industrial facilities to increase energy efficiency and generate electricity from renewable energy resources. Defines &quot;clean energy technology&quot; to include technology that contributes to a stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration and for which insufficient commercial lending is available at affordable rates.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Promoting Alternatives to Truancy and Incarceration by Encouraging New and Comprehensive Efforts (PATIENCE) Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3838
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT-5]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child health
Child safety and welfare
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Health programs administration and funding
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Promoting Alternatives to Truancy and Incarceration by Encouraging New and Comprehensive Efforts (PATIENCE) Act of 2009 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to require the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to set aside at least 5% of funding under such Act for incentive grants to states. Requires states receiving such grants to: (1) support evidence-based or promising programs that address the mental health treatment needs of juveniles; (2) support reforms that protect juveniles while incarcerated; and (3) demonstrate improvement in public safety and rehabilitation of delinquent and at-risk youth.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the reimbursement of mental health counselors under TRICARE, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-3839
Sponsor: Rep. Rooney, Thomas J. [R-FL-16]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Mental health
Military medicine
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Amends the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to authorize the provision of mental health counseling for TRICARE participants. Authorizes the provision of mental health services in DOD clinical trials.
 
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into personal service contracts with mental health counselors.
 
Includes mental health counselors within DOD licensure requirements for health-care professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Strengthening America's Satellite Industry Act

Bill: 111-hr-3840
Sponsor: Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government studies and investigations
International organizations and cooperation
Licensing and registrations
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Public contracts and procurement
Spacecraft and satellites
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Strengthening America's Satellite Industry Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should increase U.S. diplomatic efforts to strengthen arms export controls to ensure that such controls are supportive of U.S. arms export controls, particularly with respect to countries of concern to the United States. Requires the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees for five years regarding such diplomatic activities.
 
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that information regarding certain defense items exported without a license under the Arms Control and Export Act be included in the annual military assistance report.
 
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to direct the President to report to Congress, by country and by international organization, regarding the total dollar value of major defense equipment and defense articles exported pursuant to licenses for the previous fiscal year.
 
 
Authorizes the President to remove satellites and related components from the United States Munitions List, except for any satellite or related component that may be transferred to, or launched into outer space by, the People's Republic of China (PRC).
 
Directs the Inspector General of the Department of State to: (1) review Department investigations of possible misuse of U.S.-origin defense items; and (2) and report to Congress. 
 
Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress regarding placing the export licensing functions of the Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls on a self-financing basis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Small Business and Family Farm Estate Tax Relief Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3841
Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Small Business and Family Farm Estate Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Repeals provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) eliminating the tax on estates and generation-skipping transfers and the step-up in basis provisions for property acquired from a decedent for estates of decedents dying after 2009. Declares that the sunset provision (general terminating date of December 10, 2010) of EGTRRA shall not apply to title V of such Act (Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Provisions). 
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for an increase the estate tax exclusion to $5 million (eliminating the phase-in period); and (2) impose a maximum estate tax rate of 45%.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Bill: 111-hr-3842
Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the first-time homebuyer tax credit to: (1) extend such credit and its waiver of recapture provisions through September 30, 2010; (2) extend through December 31, 2009, the election to treat, for tax purposes, a residence purchased in 2009 as having been purchased on December 31, 2008; (3) allow taxpayers to treat, for tax purposes, a residence purchased after December 31, 2009, and before October 1, 2010, as having been purchased on December 31, 2009; and (4) extend through December 31, 2009, the coordination of the first-time homebuyer tax credit for District of Columbia residents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Transparency for America's Heroes Act

Bill: 111-hr-3843
Sponsor: Rep. Sestak, Joe [D-PA-7]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Transparency for America's Heroes Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website redacted records and documents (but not personal identifying information) created by the VA as part of a medical quality-assurance program.
 
Requires the Secretary to ensure that any such records or documents created during the two-year period before the enactment of this Act are also made available in the same manner.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-10-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a special depreciation allowance and recovery period for noncommercial aircraft property.

Bill: 111-hr-3844
Sponsor: Rep. Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4]
Introduced: 2009-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) increased depreciation of qualified noncommercial aircraft property placed in service in 2010 or 2011; and (2) a three-year recovery period for the depreciation of such property placed in service before 2015. Defines &quot;qualified noncommercial aircraft property&quot; as any aircraft that is not used in the trade or business of transporting persons or property and that is first used after 2009. Allows such increased depreciation as an offset against the alternative minimum tax.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-15
text: Introduced in House
Department of Justice Inspector General Authority Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3847
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2009-10-20 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of Justice
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement officers
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: 
Department of Justice Inspector General Authority Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to eliminate restrictions on the authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to refer allegations of misconduct involving DOJ attorneys, investigators, or law enforcement personnel to the Office of Professional Responsibility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2584)
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Introduced in House
Inspector General Authority Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-3848
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2009-10-20 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Evidence and witnesses
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration

Summary:
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: 
Inspector General Authority Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to authorize each Inspector General of an establishment to issue a subpoena to require any former employee of the establishment, any former employee of a contractor (or subcontractor) of the establishment, or any former contractor (or subcontractor) of the establishment to provide testimony by deposition that relates to matters occurring in connection with that individual's employment or status. 
 
Requires an Inspector General, at least seven days before issuing a subpoena, to notify the Attorney General about the subpoena and the nature of the testimony sought. Prohibits the Inspector General from issuing the subpoena if the Attorney General objects within such seven days. Requires the Attorney General, if he or she objects, to find in writing within 30 days after receiving such notice that the testimony: (1) is likely to endanger U.S. national security, to interfere with a federal or state criminal investigation or prosecution, or to interfere with civil litigation to which the United States is, or is likely to be, a party; or (2) otherwise is not authorized by this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2579)
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-10-20
text: Introduced in House