hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act

Bill: 111-s-1385
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Emergency communications systems
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
International organizations and cooperation
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Oil and gas
Terrorism
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promote the establishment within the International Maritime Organization of an international committee for the safe and secure handling and transportation of especially hazardous cargo to the United States.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a voluntary program under which foreign ports and facilities can certify their compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPFC) standards (including a program under which independent, third-party entities are certified to validate such ports' and facilities' compliance with such standards); and (2) establish a strategic plan (under current law, program) to utilize assistance programs to assist foreign ports and facilities that lack effective antiterrorism measures in implementing port security antiterrorism measures.
 
Authorizes the Coast Guard (CG) to lend, lease, donate, or otherwise provide equipment and technical training and support to foreign ports and facilities to assist them in complying, and validating such compliance, with ISPFC standards.
 
Directs the Secretary, acting through the CG Commandant, to: (1) initiate a national study to identify measures to improve the security of maritime transportation of liquefied natural gas and other especially hazardous cargoes; and (2) coordinate with other federal agencies, the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee, and appropriate state and local government officials through the Area Maritime Security Committees and other coordinating committees to evaluate, and provide a national strategy for, the waterside security of vessels carrying, and waterfront facilities handling, especially hazardous cargo.
 
Includes the establishing of regional response and recovery protocols to prepare for, respond to, mitigate against, and recover from a transportation security incident in area maritime transportation security plans.
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure that federal, state, and local personnel responsible for the safety and security of vessels in port carrying especially hazardous cargo complete Department of Homeland Security incident command system training.
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure that interoperable communications technology is deployed at all interagency operational centers for port security located at high-priority ports. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Office of Disability Coordination Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1386
Sponsor: Sen. Burris, Roland [D-IL]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Department of Homeland Security
Disability and paralysis
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal officials

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Office of Disability Coordination Act of 2009 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to: (1) establish within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) an Office of Disability Coordination, to be headed by the Disability Coordinator; (2) require the Coordinator's position to be established as a Senior Executive Service position to be filled by a career appointee; (3) direct the Administrator of FEMA, in appointing the Coordinator, to give special consideration to emergency management experience and knowledge of issues relating to individuals with disabilities; and (4) require the Administrator to appoint a Regional Disability Coordinator for each regional office and for the Office of National Capital Region Coordination.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Intelligence Critical Language Training Improvement Act

Bill: 111-s-1387
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Director of National Intelligence
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Intelligence Critical Language Training Improvement Act - Authorizes, for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, an additional 50 full-time equivalent positions for such Office per fiscal year and limits the use of any such position to providing a temporary transfer of personnel to an element of the intelligence community to enable such element to increase its total authorized number of personnel: (1) during a period in which a permanent employee of the element is absent to participate in foreign language training; or (2) to accept a permanent employee of another element of the intelligence community to provide translation services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7099-7100)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Fixed Indexed Annuities and Insurance Products Classification Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1389
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Ben [D-NE]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Contracts and agency
Employee benefits and pensions
Insurance industry and regulation
Life, casualty, property insurance
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Fixed Indexed Annuities and Insurance Products Classification Act of 2009 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to include within the class of securities exempt from its coverage any insurance or endowment policy or annuity contract or optional annuity contract: (1) whose value does not vary according to the performance of a separate account; and (2) which satisfies standard nonforfeiture laws or similar requirements of the applicable state, Territory, or District of Columbia at time of issue or, in the absence of applicable standard nonforfeiture laws or requirements, satisfies the Model Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Life Insurance or Model Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities, or any successor model law, as published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
 
Declares without force or effect Rule 151A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 16, 2009, and entitled &quot;Indexed Annuities and Certain Other Insurance Contracts.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1394
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-07-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: 
Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009 or the VETS Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to acknowledge the receipt of any claim for medical services, disability compensation, or pension under laws administered by the Secretary, or any other communication relating to such services, compensation, or pension, within 30 days after its receipt. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-264.
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date on which the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Bill: 111-s-1395
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2009-07-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Canada
Endangered and threatened species
Mammals
Outdoor recreation
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of polar bear parts taken in a sport hunt in Canada, if legally harvested before: (1) February 18, 1997; or (2) May 15, 2008, from a bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to carry out a pilot program to promote the production and use of fuel-efficient stoves engineered to produce significantly less black carbon than traditional stoves, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1396
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-07-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Air quality
Energy efficiency and conservation
Foreign aid and international relief
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: 
Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a two-year pilot program to promote the production and use of fuel-efficient stoves that do not produce significant amounts of black carbon and are customized for use throughout the world.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7143)
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7142)
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Family Dairy Preservation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1398
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-07-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: 
Family Dairy Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to increase milk income loss contract payments for the period March 1, 2009-November 30, 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Carbon Market Oversight Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1399
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-07-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Commodities markets
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Executive agency funding and structure

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: 
Carbon Market Oversight Act of 2009 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to establish an Office of Carbon Market Oversight in the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), headed by a Director for Carbon Market Oversight. Grants the CFTC authority to regulate all contracts involving a regulated instrument. Defines &quot;regulated instrument&quot; as any regulated allowance (i.e., a greenhouse gas emission allowance or government-issued unit of reduction in the quantity of emissions, or an increase in sequestration, equal to one carbon dioxide equivalent) or regulated allowance derivative (i.e., instruments, contracts, or other obligations linked to the market for regulated allowances).
 
Makes it unlawful to engage in the trading of regulated instruments unless: (1) transactions are conducted through a carbon allowance trading facility established by this Act; (2) sale or purchase contracts are evidenced by a record in writing; and (3) contracts are cleared through the Carbon Clearing Organization established by this Act. 
 
Prohibits price or market manipulation, misleading statements, or fraud in connection with the trading of regulated instruments.
 
Authorizes the CFTC to establish a carbon allowance trading facility to establish and enforce rules for trading in regulated instruments. Sets forth eligibility, registration, and educational requirements for market traders, dealers, and brokers in the regulated instrument market.
 
Requires the CFTC to: (1) establish a Carbon Clearing Organization to create a common clearing platform for regulated instruments; (2) facilitate the dissemination of reliable and accurate last-sale and quotation information for transactions in regulated instruments; and (3) collect and analyze information on the functioning of the markets for regulated instruments.
 
Grants the CFTC certain administrative powers to enforce this Act, including the power to conduct investigations, review adverse actions by a registered carbon trading facility, suspend or revoke a registered carbon trading facility designation, or issue emergency orders. 
 
Authorizes the CFTC to bring a civil action to prevent or punish violations of this Act. 
 
Imposes criminal penalties on persons who knowingly violate the requirements of this Act or who fail to comply with a cease and desist order.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7144-7149)
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7143-7144)
action_date: 2009-07-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act

Bill: 111-s-1400
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2009-07-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Motor vehicles
Sports and recreation facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: 
Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the classification, for depreciation purposes, of any motorsports entertainment complex as seven-year property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Bill: 111-s-1401
Sponsor: Sen. Martinez, Mel [R-FL]
Introduced: 2009-07-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Athletes
Congressional tributes
Professional sports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: 
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Arnold Palmer (golf professional) in recognition of his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Jump Start Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1402
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2009-07-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: 
Small Business Jump Start Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase in taxable years beginning in 2009, 2010, or 2011: (1) the limit on the tax deduction for trade or business start-up expenditures from $5,000 to $10,000; and (2) the threshold amount for reducing such limit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7195)
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7195, S7195-7196)
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthen Social Work Training Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1403
Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-07-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Education programs funding
Higher education
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: 
Strengthen Social Work Training Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include a graduate program in clinical social work or a program in social work among health professions schools eligible for grants to support programs for underrepresented minorities. Includes graduate programs in clinical psychology, graduate programs in clinical social work, and programs in social work among health education programs eligible for grants to: (1) provide scholarships to disadvantaged students; and (2) offer faculty positions to disadvantaged students.
 
Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to, and enter into contracts with: (1) schools offering degrees in social work to provide support for geriatric training projects; (2) hospitals, schools, or other entities to plan, develop, and operate or participate in an approved social work training program and to provide financial assistance to program participants that are planning to specialize, work, or teach in the field of social work; and (3) schools offering social work programs to establish, maintain, or improve academic administrative units to provide clinical instruction in social work.
 
Authorizes health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to offer health services through a clinical social worker as provided for under state law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Child Maltreatment Prevention Efforts in Community Health Centers Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1404
Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-07-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Domestic violence and child abuse
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: 
Supporting Child Maltreatment Prevention Efforts in Community Health Centers Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award five-year competitive grants to eligible federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to fund at least 10 demonstration projects to promote: (1) universal access to family centered, evidence-based interventions in the FQHCs that prevent child maltreatment by addressing parenting practices and skills; and (2) behavioral health and family well-being for families from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
 
Allows FQHCs to use grant funds to: (1) conduct needs assessments; (2) use available technologies to collect, organize, and provide access to patient health and mental health information and to provide referrals, train staff, monitor service delivery and outcomes, and create networking opportunities; (3) adapt and implement evidence-based parenting skills training programs for caregivers; (4) screen caregivers (by trained professionals) for child maltreatment risk factors and provide access to mental health services to caregivers screened positive for child maltreatment risk factors; (5) develop public education campaigns; and (6) evaluate patient satisfaction, project cost effectiveness, and effectiveness of evidence-based parenting programs in improving parenting practices and reducing child abuse and neglect.
 
Directs the Secretary to contract with institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to provide technical assistance and project coordination for grant recipients, training for health care professionals at FQHCs, and cross-site evaluation of demonstration projects. 
 

 

 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7196-7199)
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7196)
action_date: 2009-07-07
text: Introduced in Senate
New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions

Bill: 111-s-1408
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Manufacturing
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Sales and excise taxes
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: 
New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an excise tax credit through 2019 for alternative fuels and fuel mixtures involving compressed or liquefied natural gas; (2) an modified income tax credit through 2019 for alternative fuel motor vehicles powered by compressed or liquefied natural gas; (3) an offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for tax credits for alternative fuel motor vehicles and refueling property and provide for the transferability of such credits; (4) a tax credit through 2019 for investment in natural gas vehicle project bonds; (5) expensing of property used to manufacture vehicles fueled by compressed or liquefied natural gas; and (6) a tax credit through 2019 for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property relating to compressed or liquefied natural gas.
 
Requires federal agencies to purchase dedicated alternative fuel vehicles for their fleets unless such agencies can show that alternative fuel is unavailable or purchasing such vehicles would be impractical.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to manufacturers of light and heavy duty natural gas vehicles for the development of engines that reduce emissions, improve performance and efficiency, and lower cost. 
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should streamline the certification process for natural gas vehicle retrofit kits. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate