hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify certain definitions of the term "renewable biomass", and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-3381
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2010-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Electric power generation and transmission
Forests, forestry, trees
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-17
text: 
Amends the Clean Air Act to redefine &quot;renewable biomass&quot; as: (1) materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from certain National Forest System land and public lands that are byproducts of preventive treatments that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels, reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or restore ecosystem health, that would not otherwise be used for higher-value products, and that are harvested in accordance with specified requirements for old-growth forests and large tree retention; or (2) any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from nonfederal land or land belonging to an Indian or Indian tribe that is held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including specified renewable plant material and waste material. Applies this definition in any federal law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act to: (1) establish a renewable electricity standard; or (2) regulate the emission of greenhouse gases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2010-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3833)
action_date: 2010-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Coastal Habitat Conservation Act

Bill: 111-s-3382
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2010-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Ecology
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Watersheds
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-18
text: 
Coastal Habitat Conservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service a Coastal Program to: (1) identify the most important natural resource problems and solutions in priority coastal ecosystems in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, nongovernmental institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private individuals or corporate entities; (2) provide technical and financial support through partnerships with such governments, institutions, organizations, and private individuals for voluntary habitat assessment, protection, planning, restoration, and enhancement projects on public or private land; (3) assist in the development and implementation of monitoring protocols and adaptive management procedures so as to ensure the success of coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration measures; and (4) collaborate with partners and the public regarding methods and models for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of coastal ecosystems. 
 
Requires the Secretary to employ youth volunteers and organizations that provide service opportunities for youths to carry out nonhazardous habitat restoration and enhancement activities.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2010-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to temporarily prohibit the United States loans to the International Monetary Fund to be used to provide financing for any member state of the European Union, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-3383
Sponsor: Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2010-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Europe
European Union
Foreign loans and debt
International monetary system and foreign exchange
International organizations and cooperation

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-18
text: 
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to: (1) prohibit U.S. loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance to any European Union (EU) member state until the ratio of the total outstanding public debt of each member state to its gross domestic product (as of the end of the most recent fiscal year of the member state ending in the preceding calendar year) is not more than 60%; and (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the IMF to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any IMF loans to member states until all member states are in compliance with such debt ratio.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2010-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the General Accountability Office to conduct a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection.

Bill: 111-s-3384
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2010-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Alabama
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Louisiana
Mississippi
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: 
Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO), in coordination with the National Academy of Engineering, to conduct and submit to Congress a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate
American Energy and Western Jobs Act

Bill: 111-s-3385
Sponsor: Sen. Bennett, Robert F. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2010-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Economic development
Energy revenues and royalties
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Land use and conservation
Oil and gas
Public participation and lobbying
State and local finance
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: 
American Energy and Western Jobs Act - Rescinds Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Instruction Memoranda numbered 2010-117 (Oil and Gas Leasing Reform &#150; Land Use Planning and Lease Parcel Reviews) and 2010-118 (Energy Policy Act Section 390 Categorical Exclusion Policy Revision), issued on May 17, 2010, and declares that they shall have no force or effect.
 
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior, before modifying and implementing any onshore oil or natural gas preleasing or leasing and development policy, to complete an economic impact assessment and determine that the proposed modification will not: (1) result in a detrimental impact on employment opportunities relating to oil- and natural gas-related development; (2) contribute to an increase in the domestic use of imported petroleum resources; or (3) contribute to an aggregate loss of oil and natural gas receipts. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the release of water from the marketable yield pool of water stored in the Ruedi Reservoir for the benefit of endangered fish habitat in the Colorado River, and for other purpose.

Bill: 111-s-3387
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2010-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Colorado
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fishes
Lakes and rivers
Water storage
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: 
Requires the release of 5,412.5 acre-feet of water from the marketable yield pool (the portion of the regulatory capacity that is dedicated to marketing purposes) of water stored in the Ruedi Reservoir (a component of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project of the Bureau of Reclamation in western Colorado) for the benefit of endangered fish habitat in the Colorado River for calendar year 2013 and each year thereafter, at the request of the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Requires such release during the late summer months to enhance low water flows in areas that comprise the endangered fish habitat in the Colorado River, unless otherwise requested by the Director. 

Provides that the release shall satisfy 50% of the commitment by certain water users to provide 10,825 acre-feet of water per year, as described in Appendix C of the document entitled &quot;Final Programmatic Biological Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation's Operations and Depletions, Other Depletions, and Funding and Implementation of Recovery Program Actions in the Upper Colorado River above the Confluence with the Gunnison River.&quot;

Makes this Act effective on the later of the date on which: (1) the Secretary of the Interior issues a finding of no significant impact, or a record of decision under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 regarding such release; and (2) an additional 5,412.5 acre-feet of water has been made available by means acceptable to water users to satisfy the remaining obligations of such users.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-707.
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Service Member Second Amendment Protection Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3388
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Defense
Firearms and explosives
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Service Member Second Amendment Protection Act of 2010 - Prohibits the Secretary of Defense (DOD) from prohibiting, issuing any requirement relating to, or collecting or recording any information relating to the otherwise lawful acquisition, possession, ownership, carrying, or other use of a privately-owned firearm, privately-owned ammunition, or another privately-owned weapon by a member of the Armed Forces or a DOD civilian employee on property that is not owned or operated by DOD.
 
Nullifies any existing DOD regulation promulgated prior to enactment of this Act that restricts weapon ownership or use in violation of this Act. Requires the destruction of any record containing information about weapon ownership or use that was collected prior to enactment of this Act. 
 
Provides that nothing in this Act limits the authority of the Secretary to: (1) regulate the possession, carrying, or other use of a firearm, ammunition, or other weapon by a member of the Armed Forces or by a DOD civilian employee while engaged in official duties or while wearing the uniform of an Armed Force; or (2) create or maintain records relating to an investigation, prosecution, or adjudication of any alleged violation of law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to exempt individuals who receive certain educational assistance for service in the Selected Reserve from limitations on the receipt of assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for additional service in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-3389
Sponsor: Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: National Guard and reserves
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Exempts individuals who receive certain educational assistance for service in the Selected Reserve from limitations on the receipt of assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for additional service, as long as such individuals have served on active duty for at least four years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Nondiscrimination Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3390
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government liability
Legal fees and court costs
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Student Nondiscrimination Act of 2010 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.
 
Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.
 
Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act.
 
Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them.
 
Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail.
 
Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4085-4086)
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4084-4085)
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Ecosystem Sustainability and Protection on the Delta Act

Bill: 111-s-3391
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Energy revenues and royalties
Gulf of Mexico
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Restoring Ecosystem Sustainability and Protection on the Delta Act - Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to accelerate from FY2017 to FY2010 the allocation of certain Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease revenues from covered leases among the affected states (thus increasing each state's share).
 
Declares that the historical lease sites in the 2002-2007 planning area shall include all leases entered into by the Secretary of Energy for an area in the Gulf of Mexico between October 1, 1982 (or an earlier date if practicable) and December 31, 2015.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield located in Chemung County, New York, and the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-3392
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Europe
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Military history
New York State
Parks, recreation areas, trails
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield in Chemung County, New York (where the Battle of Newtown was fought on August 29, 1779, during the Revolutionary War), as well as the suitability and feasibility of the Battlefield's inclusion in the National Park System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
COBRA Health Benefits Extension Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3393
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
COBRA Health Benefits Extension Act of 2010 - Extends COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits) until the earlier of: (1) the first date in which an individual is eligible for coverage under an employment-based health plan; or (2) the date on which such individual becomes eligible for health insurance coverage through an American Health Benefit Exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). 
 
Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide rules setting forth the form and manner in which prompt notice to individuals of such continued coverage shall be made.
 
Allows a state to enforce the provisions of this Act with respect to COBRA continuation coverage provided under a state program.
 
 Provides that this Act has no effect on termination of continuation coverage for any reason other than expiration of a period of a specified number of months.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Entrepreneurship for America's Veterans Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3394
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Credit and credit markets
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
National Guard and reserves
Public contracts and procurement
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Strengthening Entrepreneurship for America's Veterans Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish an online mechanism to assist, and coordinate and leverage the work of, veterans' assistance providers.
 
Requires the SBA Administrator to establish a veterans' business center program to provide financial assistance to private nonprofit organizations to conduct five-year projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Directs each organization receiving such assistance to establish a veterans' business center to provide specific assistance to veterans, service-disabled veterans, and reservists, as well as their spouses. Sets assistance limits at not less than $150,000 or more than $200,000 per organization per fiscal year. Provides matching funds requirements.
 
Requires the Associate Administrator to conduct an annual examination of the programs and finances of each center, and authorizes the Associate Administrator to discontinue a center's funding under appropriate circumstances.
 
Requires the Administrator to designate at least one individual in each SBA district as a veterans business ownership representative.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to report to: (1) the congressional veterans and small business committees regarding the ability of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans to access credit; and (2) Congress an evaluation of the effectiveness of the veterans' business center program.
 
Requires the Administrator to report to Congress at least semiannually on appointments made to, and activities of, an interagency task force established for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans.
 
Repeals current grant provisions providing for the establishment and implementation of outreach programs for veterans, disabled veterans, and reservists and permits any organization previously awarded such a grant to apply for a grant renewal under the provisions of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4087-4090)
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4087)
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Renewable Energy Market Access Program Act

Bill: 111-s-3395
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2010-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Energy efficiency and conservation
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: 
Renewable Energy Market Access Program Act - Directs the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce to establish and carry out a program to provide cost-sharing assistance to nonprofit trade associations in the United States or state or regional organizations that promote the exportation and sale of energy efficiency products or renewable energy products to: (1) improve access to the markets of foreign countries for energy efficiency products and renewable energy products exported by small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses; and (2) assist such businesses in obtaining services and other assistance, including from the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies, with respect to exporting such products.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4091-4092)
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4090-4091)
action_date: 2010-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate