hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-423
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Budget process
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 - Requires, beginning with FY2011, a two-fiscal-year new discretionary budget authority for the following accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) Medical Services; (2) Medical Support and Compliance; and (3) Medical Facilities.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the adequacy and accuracy of VA baseline model projections for health care expenditures.

action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 

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

 
Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 - Requires, beginning with FY2011, a two-fiscal-year new discretionary budget authority for the following accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) Medical Services; (2) Medical Support and Compliance; and (3) Medical Facilities.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a study on the adequacy and accuracy of VA baseline model projections for health care expenditures; and (2) report during 2011-2013 to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the congressional veterans, appropriations, and budget committees on the sufficiency of budget requests for VA health expenditures in relation to the baseline model projections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: See also H.R. 1016.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 101. (consideration: CR S9059)
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Senate passed companion measure H.R. 1016 in lieu of this measure by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Senate incorporated this measure in H.R. 1016 as an amendment.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: The bill was read the third time.
action_date: 2009-08-06
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9058-9059)
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 101.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka without amendment. With written report No. 111-41.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka without amendment. With written report No. 111-41.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2232-2233)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2232)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Uniting American Families Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-424
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Immigration status and procedures
Marriage and family status

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Uniting American Families Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include a &quot;permanent partner&quot; within the scope of such Act. Defines a &quot;permanent partner&quot; as an individual 18 or older who: (1) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment; (2) is financially interdependent with the other individual; (3) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, any other individual other than the individual; (4) is unable to contract with the other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and (5) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of the other individual. Defines a &quot;permanent partnership&quot; as the relationship existing between two permanent partners.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2234-2236)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2233-2234)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act

Bill: 111-s-425
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Meat

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food through which the Secretary can retrieve the history, use, and location of each article of food shipped in interstate commerce. 
 
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to require a person (other than a household consumer) who has reason to believe that any meat, poultry, egg, or egg product handled by such person is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture of the identity and location of the article. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that the article is adulterated or misbranded and there is a reasonable probability that human consumption would present a threat to public health, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of the article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) refuse to provide, or to withdraw, inspections of an establishment for willful or repeated violations of the respective Act; (2) deny or suspend inspection in the public interest to protect the health or welfare of consumers or to ensure the effective performance of an official duty under the respective Act; and (3) assess civil penalties for violations.
 
Amends the FFDCA to require a person (other than a household consumer or other individual who is an intended consumer) who has reason to believe that an article of food introduced into interstate commerce is adulterated or misbranded in a manner that, if consumed, may result in illness or injury to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that to be the case, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of such article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken. Allows the Secretary to assess penalties for prohibited acts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2236)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security Solvency Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-426
Sponsor: Sen. Bennett, Robert F. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Appropriations
Disability and paralysis
Government trust funds
Inflation and prices
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Social Security Solvency Act of 2009 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide for progressive indexing of old age insurance benefits with respect to any individual who initially becomes eligible for them or who dies (before becoming eligible for them) in calendar year 2012 or later.
 
Provides for: (1) modification of primary insurance amount (PIA) factors to reflect changes in life expectancy; (2) computation of the PIA for an individual who has or has had a period of disability and who initially becomes eligible for such benefits in or after 2012; (3) acceleration of the increase in retirement age to 67; and (4) automatic appropriations to maintain the balance ratio of the Social Security Trust Funds at not less than 100% for the calendar year commencing during each fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2236-2239, S2239)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to clarify that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements are not to be considered available resources under the supplemental security income program.

Bill: 111-s-427
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to provide that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements involving an irrevocable trust whose named beneficiary is the funeral provider are not to be considered, under the SSI program, as resources available to the individual. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act

Bill: 111-s-428
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cuba
Latin America
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act - Prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents or any of the transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, except in time of war or armed hostilities between the United States and Cuba, or of imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. travelers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending Agricultural Threats: Safeguarding America's Food for Everyone (EAT SAFE) Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-429
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Department of Agriculture
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Meat
Smuggling and trafficking
Terrorism
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Ending Agricultural Threats: Safeguarding America's Food for Everyone (EAT SAFE) Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish food safety and agroterrorism training programs for appropriate federal employees and border patrol agents; (2) hire additional Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel; (3) provide notification of smuggled food products to the public and to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (4) provide the public with notification of recalled food products.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide notification of smuggled food products to the public and to DHS.

Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to establish civil penalties for failure to present imported meat and poultry products for inspection.

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require federal certification of food safety labs.

Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary, through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, to establish a foodborne illness education and outreach grant program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2240-2242)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2239-2240)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-430
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Department of Commerce
Economic development
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Rural conditions and development
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to establish and carry out an Excellence in Economic Development Award Program to recognize innovative economic development strategies of national significance. Directs the Secretary to publicly solicit nominations of nonprofit organizations or institutions.
 
Authorizes a recipient of an economic adjustment grant who determines that a revolving loan fund established using such assistance is no longer needed or that the recipient could make better use of the assistance to carry out another project that meets the requirements of the Act to request the Secretary to approve conversion of the assistance by: (1) selling fund assets to a third party; or (2) retaining repayments of principal and interest on loans provided through the fund. Requires such a recipient to use the net proceeds from a sale of assets to pay any portion of the costs of one or more projects that meet Act requirements. 
 
Directs the Secretary, before providing investment assistance for a construction project under such Act, to establish the expected period during which the assistance recipient shall make best efforts to achieve economic development objectives. Requires acquired or improved property to be held in trust by the recipient for the benefit of the project, and requires the Secretary to retain a reversionary interest in the property, during that period.
 
Extends the authorization of appropriations for economic development assistance programs. Increases the minimum level of funding for planning and grants for administrative expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2243-2244)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2243)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Recovery Adjustment Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-431
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Bankruptcy
Business records
Congressional oversight
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Financial crises and stabilization
Government studies and investigations
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Economic Recovery Adjustment Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Department of Justice the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate to conduct audits and oversight of the compensation of the officers and directors of entities assisted under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
 
Authorizes the Advocate to assist the Secretary of the Treasury in the negotiation of TARP assistance in order to: (1) assure that fair and reasonable executive compensation is paid by entities receiving TARP funds; and (2) defend such agreements in the event of any challenge to the adjustments to compensation obligations.
 
States that negotiated reductions in compensation under this Act: (1) may include vested deferred compensation; and (2) shall be in an amount that is fair and reasonable in light of the taxpayers' assistance, but not less than the estimated value of the compensation obligations that would face the estate or debtor-in-possession if the TARP funds had not been granted, and the entity had filed for bankruptcy protection.
 
Requires the Advocate to negotiate a reduction in executive compensation obligations as a prerequisite to TARP assistance if, after an audit, the Advocate finds reason to believe that the assisted entity would have become insolvent if not for the receipt of TARP assistance.
 
Establishes the Temporary Economic Recovery Oversight Panel to: (1) either approve or deny a proposed settlement; or (2) upon petition of the Advocate (or of any individual subject to the Advocate's actions), issue an order establishing an executive compensation program if no settlement is reached. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-432
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Arizona
District of Columbia
Ecology
Education programs funding
Federal officials
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government trust funds
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Minority health
Policy sciences
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to rename: (1) the Act, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act; (2) the Morris K Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Trust Fund, the Morris K Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund; (3) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation; and (4) Morris K. Udall Scholars, Udall Scholars. 
 
Requires the Executive Director of the Foundation to be paid at a senior executive rate.
 
Directs the Foundation to award grants to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, at the University of Arizona, to conduct training, research, and other activities with regard to the involvement of Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy.
 
Allows the use of reasonable amounts of the Trust Fund for official reception and representation expenses, not to exceed $5,000 for a fiscal year.
 
Sets forth administrative provisions that allow the Foundation to: (1) appoint personnel without regard to federal law provisions governing appointments in the competitive service; (2) pay up to four employees, in addition to the Executive Director, at senior executive pay rates; and (3) rent office space in the District of Columbia or its environs.
 Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to: (1) the Trust Fund; and (2) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, for the operating costs of the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2244-2245)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a renewable electricity standard, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-433
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2009-02-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Department of Energy
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Forests, forestry, trees
Government trust funds

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: 
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require a retail electric supplier to submit to the Secretary of Energy for calendar year 2012 and thereafter one or more of the following: (1) specified federal renewable energy credits; (2) certification of the renewable energy generated and electricity savings; and (3) specified alternative compliance payments.
 
Prescribes, for calendar years 2012 through 2039, a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a retail electric supplier's base amount that shall be generated from renewable energy resources.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a program to: (1) verify and issue federal renewable energy credits to generators of renewable energy; (2) track the sale, exchange, and retirement of the credits; and (3) enforce the federal renewable energy credits program.
 
Directs the Secretary to issue a generator of electric energy one federal renewable energy credit for each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by the use of a renewable energy resource at an eligible facility.
 
Prescribes rules for federal renewable energy credit trading, and for borrowing and repayment of borrowed federal renewable energy credits.
 
Retains the authority of a state or its political subdivision to: (1) adopt or enforce any law (including regulations) respecting renewable energy; or (2) regulate the acquisition and disposition of federal renewable energy credits by retail electric suppliers.

Permits an electric utility that has sales of electric energy subject to rate regulation to recover the full cost of renewable energy obtained to comply with this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate and report to Congress on the program established under this Act.
 
Establishes in the Treasury a state renewable energy account.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2245-2246)
action_date: 2009-02-12
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFETY Act

Bill: 111-s-436
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2009-02-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Child safety and welfare
Crimes against children
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Currency
Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Organized crime
Pornography

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-13
text: 
Internet Stopping Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Today's Youth Act of 2009 or the SAFETY Act - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) prohibit financial transactions in interstate or foreign commerce that facilitate access to, or the possession of, child pornography; (2) prohibit conduct by an Internet content hosting provider or email service provider that facilitates access to, or the possession of, child pornography; (3) require providers of electronic communication or remote computing services to retain certain user records for at least two years; (4) establish certain child sexual exploitation crimes as a predicate for money laundering prosecutions; (5) increase criminal penalties for sexual exploitation of children and for child pornography; and (6) establish embezzlement or theft of public property and bribery as predicates for racketeering prosecutions.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Innocent Images National Initiative. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-02-13
text: Introduced in Senate