hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To extend certain immigration programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-2679
Sponsor: Rep. Giffords, Gabrielle [D-AZ-8]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health personnel
Immigration status and procedures
Medical education
Religion
Small business
Social Security Administration
Social security and elderly assistance
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Employee Verification Amendment Act of 2009 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend the employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs (which includes the E-Verify basic pilot program) until September 30, 2014.
 
Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into a fiscal year agreement which shall: (1) provide funds to the Commissioner for such programs' full costs in quarterly advances; and (2) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of costs incurred and funds provided. Provides for funding continuation in the absence of an agreement.
 
Requires that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct studies regarding: (1) erroneous tentative nonconfirmations under the E-Verify program; and (2) such program's effects on small entities. 
 
Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to extend the alien investor (EB-5) regional center program through FY2014.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until September 30, 2014.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program until September 30, 2014.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to House Education and Labor
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, 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: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
Territorial Health Parity Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2680
Sponsor: Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Foreign aid and international relief
Guam
Intergovernmental relations
Marshall Islands
Medicaid
Micronesia
Northern Mariana Islands
Oceania
Palau
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Territorial Health Parity Act of 2009 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to sunset at the end of FY2009 the limitation on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
 
Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) repeal, as of the end of FY2011, the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) of 50% that applies to such territories; and (2) set the new FMAP for such territories at one determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. Specifies a transitional FMAP for such territories for FY2010-FY2011.
 
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the per capita income data used to promulgate the FMAP in the territories and how such data differ from the per capita income data used to promulgate FMAPs for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Requires the report to include recommendations on how FMAPs can be calculated for the territories to ensure parity with the 50 states and the District of Columbia. 
 
Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend the Medicaid program to the citizens of the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).
 
Amends SSA title XIX to set a 100% FMAP for otherwise qualified services rendered to such citizens. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1301-1302)
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
P.R.O.U.D. Act

Bill: 111-hr-2681
Sponsor: Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Elementary and secondary education
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy Act; or the P.R.O.U.D. Act - Amends the Immigration and Naturalization Act to provide for the naturalization of certain graduates of U.S. high schools who are under 25 years of age on the date of application for naturalization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2682
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2009 - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, except if: (1) such goods or services are required by law to be produced or performed by such agency; or (2) the head of the agency determines and certifies that federal production or performance is necessary for the national defense or homeland security, that a good or service is so inherently governmental in nature that it is in the public interest to require production or performance by government employees, or that there is no private source capable of providing the good or service.
 
Requires such private sector provision of goods and services to be performed through: (1) the divestiture of federal involvement; (2) the award of a contract using competitive procedures; (3) converting an activity to performance by a qualified firm under at least 51% ownership by an Indian tribe or a Native Hawaiian Organization; or (4) conducting a public-private competitive sourcing analysis in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures and determining that using the private sector is in the best interest of the United States and provides the best value to the taxpayer.
 
Authorizes an agency head to utilize federal employees to provide goods or services previously provided by a private sector entity upon completion of a public-private competitive sourcing analysis and after determining that provision by federal employees provides the best value.
 
Requires the Director to carry out a study, in conjunction with the Comptroller General, to evaluate the activities carried out in each agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
To establish the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program.

Bill: 111-hr-2683
Sponsor: Rep. Holt, Rush [D-NJ-12]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional officers and employees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Establishes the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program, under which each Member of the House of Representatives may hire for a maximum 12-month period one additional employee who meets specified eligibility criteria to serve as the American Veteran Congressional Intern.
 
Requires such an Intern to be honorably discharged from service in the U.S. armed forces or in their reserve components.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
National Hate Crimes Hotline Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2684
Sponsor: Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-2]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Hate crimes
Law enforcement administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
National Hate Crimes Hotline Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to: (1) private, nonprofit entities to establish and operate a national, toll-free telephone hotline and an Internet website to assist victims of hate crimes; and (2) state and local law enforcement entities for educational and training programs on solving hate crimes and establishing dialogues with members of communities who are at-risk of being victims of hate crimes.
 
Directs the Attorney General to establish a program for awarding grants to local organizations to establish or expand programs that provide services to victims of hate crimes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustment for certain local areas with VA medical centers and for certain contiguous areas.

Bill: 111-hr-2686
Sponsor: Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-2]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Medicare
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustment for certain local areas with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and for certain contiguous areas.
 

 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-06-03
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: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
To withhold United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) if Cuba is allowed full membership or participation in the OAS unless the President certifies that Cuba has satisfied certain conditions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-2687
Sponsor: Rep. Mack, Connie [R-FL-14]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Cuba
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Labor-management relations
Latin America
Organization of American States
Political movements and philosophies
Political parties and affiliation
Rule of law and government transparency

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
 Directs the Secretary of State, if the government of Cuba is allowed full membership or participation in the Organization of American States (OAS), to withhold assessed and voluntary contributions to the OAS until the President certifies to Congress that there is a government in Cuba that has satisfied certain political, judicial, broadcasting, and labor requirements, and does not include Fidel Castro or Raul Castro.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, as a unit of the National Park System.

Bill: 111-hr-2689
Sponsor: Rep. Perriello, Thomas S.P. [D-VA-5]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Military history
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the National Park Service (NPS), to conduct a study of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, to evaluate its national significance and the suitability and feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System. Requires the identification of alternatives for the management, administration, and protection of the Memorial. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-01
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6080)
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
School Meal Enhancement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2690
Sponsor: Rep. Sestak, Joe [D-PA-7]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Agriculture
Education of the disadvantaged
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
School Meal Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a school-wide paperless free school meal program which allows local educational agencies (LEAs) to select certain schools to provide free meals to all their students without the use of paper applications to determine their eligibility for free or reduced price breakfasts or lunches under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 or the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
 
Prohibits the participation of schools that do not have a student enrollment of which at least: (1) 65% are estimated to be eligible for free meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; or (2) 75% are estimated to be eligible for free or reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
 
Requires the Secretary to issue guidance that establishes an alternate, paperless method of determining such estimated eligibility rates.
 
Reimburses the school food service authority of each participating LEA pursuant to a formula that factors in such estimated eligibility rates.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
Healthy Transition Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2691
Sponsor: Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Executive agency funding and structure
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Healthy Transition Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants or cooperative agreements to states: (1) to develop plans for the statewide coordination of services to assist adolescents and young adults with a serious mental health disorder in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to ensure their healthy transition to successful adult roles and responsibilities; and (2) for the coordination of such services.
 
Requires the Secretary to designate a federal entity, or establish a Committee of Federal Partners, to coordinate programs providing such services. Directs such entity or committee to: (1) review how federal programs and efforts that address issues related to the transition of adolescents and young adults with serious mental health disorders may be coordinated to ensure the maximum benefit for the individuals being served; and (2) provide technical assistance to the states that are planning or implementing programs under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1288)
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
CAH Designation Waiver Authority Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2692
Sponsor: Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Medicare
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
CAH Designation Waiver Authority Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program a state may establish.
 
Authorizes state designation of a Medicare critical access hospital (CAH), even if it does not comply with the requirement that it be located more than a 35-mile drive from another hospital, if it is certified by the state on or after enactment of this Act as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area. (Thus restores state authority that existed before January 1, 2006, to waive the 35-mile rule.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel GULF DIVER IV.

Bill: 111-hr-2694
Sponsor: Rep. Inslee, Jay [D-WA-1]
Introduced: 2009-06-03 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions of federal shipping law, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel GULF DIVER IV.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-03
text: Introduced in House
Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2695
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2009-06-04 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Competition and antitrust
Consumer credit
Contracts and agency
Financial services and investments
Retail and wholesale trades
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: 
Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2009 - Sets forth a limited antitrust immunity to providers of covered electronic payment systems and merchants for negotiation of access rates and terms. Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. credit cards and/or debit cards) and merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such system. Provides immunity exceptions.
 
Requires the rates and terms of a voluntarily negotiated access agreement to be the same for all merchants and participating providers, regardless of their respective category or volume of transactions.
 
Requires issuers, acquirers, owners, and merchants to make specified disclosures regarding itemized costs and access agreements.
 
Requires the negotiating parties to file jointly with the Attorney General any voluntarily negotiated access agreement that affects any market in the United States or elsewhere.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-04-28
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2010-04-27
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1308)
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House
Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act

Bill: 111-hr-2696
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Brad [D-NC-13]
Introduced: 2009-06-04 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Contracts and agency
Housing finance and home ownership
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: 
Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to add a new title authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action in U.S. district court to enforce provisions of the Act. Includes under such civil relief restraining orders and injunctions, damages, and penalties.
 
Authorizes a private cause of action for such enforcement by a servicemember, dependent, or other protected person under the Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-28
text: Provisions of measure incorporated into H.R. 3949.
action_date: 2009-10-08
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2009-10-08
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-09-24
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House
Optometric Equity in Medicaid Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2697
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2009-06-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health personnel
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: 
 Optometric Equity in Medicaid Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage of medical and other health services of optometrists that are otherwise covered when furnished by a physician.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House