hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act

Bill: 111-s-1106
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Dental care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military medicine

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act - Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide certain medical and dental services to members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve not otherwise eligible for such services if a qualified health professional determines that the services are necessary to ensure that the member meets applicable standards of medical and dental readiness. Provides funding for such services through the Defense Health Program.
 
Requires (current law authorizes) the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide, to each member of the Ready Reserve ordered to active duty of more than 30 days, necessary medical and dental screening and care to ensure that the member meets applicable medical and dental standards for deployment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Safeguarding Our Hospitals' Futures Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1108
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Medicare
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Safeguarding Our Hospitals' Futures Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2009, to apply budget neutrality on a national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor, including a minimum wage index, for each all-urban and rural state for discharges occurring during FY2008 under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (through a uniform, national adjustment to the area wage index).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
PRO-VETS Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1109
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government information and archives
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Providing Real Outreach for Veterans Act of 2009 or PRO-VETS Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense for the transfer of data to the Secretary for providing members of the Armed Forces and veterans with individualized information concerning veterans' benefits that each member and veteran may be eligible for. Requires the Secretary, after receiving such data, to: (1) compile a list of all benefits for which each member or veteran may be eligible; (2) notify the member or veteran (or their legal representative) of such benefits; and (3) provide a second notification if the member or veteran does not apply for a listed benefit within 60 days, as well as annual notifications thereafter. Requires additional notifications based on changed circumstances. Allows each member or veteran the option to decline further notifications.
 
Directs the Secretary to use transferred data to reduce the amount of information that a member or veteran must provide when applying for benefits.
 
Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a member or veteran the opportunity to decline authorization for the transfer of information under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-264.
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1110
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Legislative rules and procedure
Medicare
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to rename the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) the Medicare Payment and Access Commission, make it an independent executive branch (instead of a legislative branch) agency, and revise its membership requirements. 
 
Directs MedPAC to determine payment rates for items and services furnished under Medicare. 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to study and report annually to Congress on changes to payment policies under the Medicare program as a result of the amendments made by this Act. 
 
Makes it in order in the Senate or the House to consider any measure that would overrule a MedPAC determination with respect to such payments if three-fifths of the Members agree to such consideration.
 
Authorizes MedPAC to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on priorities for health services research.
 
Directs MedPAC to establish: (1) an office of ombudsman to handle complaints on the implementation of certain regulations; and (2) a council of health and economic advisers to advise it on its development, analyses, and implementation of payment policies.
 
Establishes: (1) a consumer advisory council to advise MedPAC on the impact of Medicare payment policies on consumers; and (2) a federal health advisory council.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5725-5727)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5724-5725)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Special Disability Workload Liability Resolution Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1111
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Disability assistance
Medicare
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Special Disability Workload Liability Resolution Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with each state to reach an agreement on the amount of a payment for the state related to the Medicare program liability under title XVIII of the Social Security Act as a result of the Special Disability Workload project. (The special workload was the result of discovering a substantial number of recipients of Supplemental Security Income [SSI] benefits whose disability insured status under the title II [OASDI] Disability Insurance program was not previously recognized.)
 
Prohibits any such payment to a state unless it: (1) waives the right to file a civil action (or to be a party to any action) in federal or state court in which the relief sought includes a payment to the state from the United States related to such Medicare liability; and (2) releases the United States from any further claims for reimbursement of state expenditures as a result of the Special Disability Workload project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5727-5728)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5727)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Sunscreen Labeling Protection Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1112
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Product safety and quality
Radiation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Sunscreen Labeling Protection Act of 2009 or the SUN Act - Requires the proposed rule issued by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) pertaining to over-the-counter sunscreen drug products to take effect 180 days after enactment of this Act, unless the Commissioner issues a final rule that includes formulation, labeling, and testing requirements for both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation protection before such time.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Roads Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1113
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers
Personnel records
Roads and highways
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Safe Roads Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a national clearinghouse for positive alcohol and controlled substance test results and test refusals of commercial motor vehicle operators. Prohibits the release of clearinghouse information to a commercial motor carrier employer unless there has been compliance with all applicable federal privacy laws and regulations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to collect fees from such employers and other authorized users for informational requests.
 
Prohibits an employer from hiring an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the employer has determined that the individual, for the preceding three-year period, has: (1) been tested for use of alcohol and controlled substances; (2) not tested positive for their use, or tested positive but has completed the return-to-duty process; and (3) not refused to be tested.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a process: (1) to require employers to request and review any clearinghouse records of individuals before their employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator; and (2) for an individual and a state licensing authority to request and receive information from the clearinghouse.
 
Subjects persons who violate the requirements of this Act to both civil and criminal penalties.
 

 
Requires the Secretary to take certain actions to enhance Department of Transportation (DOT) oversight of testing sites.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5728-5729)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Medical Homes Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1114
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2009-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: 
Medical Homes Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a three-year demonstration project under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act for the implementation of a patient-centered medical home program to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in providing Medicaid and CHIP assistance to an estimated 500,000 to 1 million targeted beneficiaries. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5729-5732)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5728-5729)
action_date: 2009-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom from Tolls Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1115
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Roads and highways
Transportation costs
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Freedom from Tolls Act of 2009 - Prohibits the use of highway funds to impose a toll on any segment of a federal-aid system highway that as of enactment of this Act: (1) has had its construction completed; (2) is not tolled; (3) was constructed with federal assistance; and (4) is in actual operation. Excepts from this prohibition, thus allowing tolls on, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes as well as any highway segment that, as of the date on which a toll is imposed on it, will have the same number of non-toll lanes as were in existence before that date.
 
 
Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to decrease from three to two the number of facilities a state may establish on a highway, bridge, or tunnel on the Interstate System to collect tolls for reconstructing and rehabilitating Interstate highway corridors under the Interstate System reconstruction and rehabilitation pilot program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1116
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government information and archives
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to direct agency heads not to impose civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest, the detection of criminal activity would be impaired, the violation is not corrected within six months, the violation is a violation of internal revenue law or a law concerning the assessment or collection of any tax, debt, revenue, or receipt, or the violation presents a danger to the public health or safety. Permits an agency to determine that a fine should not be imposed for a violation that presents a danger to public health or safety if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after receipt by the small business owner of notification of the violation. 
 
Makes this Act inapplicable to any violation by a small business of a requirement regarding the collection of information by an agency if the small business previously violated any requirement concerning the collection of information by that agency. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1118
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Increases the monthly rates of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
Provides a phase-in of DIC payments in the case of veterans who die of a non-service-connected disability after being eligible for at least five years for VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated as total.
 
Reduces from 57 to 55 the age after which the remarriage of a surviving spouse shall not terminate DIC payments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-264.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide taxpayer notification of suspected identity theft.

Bill: 111-s-1119
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to notify a taxpayer of: (1) any unauthorized use of such taxpayer's identity (suspected identity theft) the Secretary uncovers during an investigation of false or fraudulent statements or tax returns; and (2) any person criminally charged under such investigation. Requires such notification to be given to the taxpayer as soon as practicable and without jeopardizing a tax fraud investigation.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform the definitions of qualifying expenses for purposes of education tax benefits.

Bill: 111-s-1120
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a uniform definition of higher education expenses for purposes of provisions allowing for: (1) penalty-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for education expenses; (2) tax exclusions for the value of college scholarships and for income from U.S. savings bonds used to pay education expenses; (3) the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; and (4) qualified tuition programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
School Building Fairness Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1121
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Air quality
Child safety and welfare
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Higher education
Noise pollution
Preschool education
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
School Building Fairness Act of 2009 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to allocate funds to states for competitive matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for school repair, renovation, and construction. 
 
Reserves 1% of the grant funds for assistance to outlying areas and Indian schools.
 
 Requires each state, in awarding such grants to LEAs, to consider: (1) the percentage of poor children each LEA serves; (2) the condition of their public schools or need for additional schools; (3) the extent to which they will comply with certain green building standards; (4) their fiscal capacity to cover repairs, renovations, and construction without such a grant; and (5) the likelihood that they will maintain repaired, renovated, or newly constructed schools in good condition.
 
Requires each state to award high-need and rural LEAs, in the aggregate, at least the same proportion of this Act's LEA funds for the state that they received of total LEA school improvement funds for the state under part A of Title I of the ESEA.
 
Directs each state to reserve a portion of their allocation for a state-level database of public school facility inventory, condition, design, and utilization.
 
Requires the National Center for Education Statistics to study and report to Congress on the condition of public elementary and secondary schools, including an analysis of trends in spending for their repair, renovation, and construction. 
 
Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a clearinghouse of information on the best educational practices from nursery school through higher education, and the latest research regarding the construction, improvement, and maintenance of safe, healthy, and high-performance public schools.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Good Neighbor Forestry Act

Bill: 111-s-1122
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Ecology
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations
Watersheds
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Good Neighbor Forestry Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with state foresters to provide the forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection services as specified below on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands. 
 
 Requires that such authorized services include: (1) activities to treat insect infected trees; (2) activities to reduce hazardous fuels; and (3) any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.
 
Permits state foresters to enter into subcontracts to provide the restoration and protection services authorized under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-29
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-223.
action_date: 2009-06-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-06-10
text: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6477-6478)
action_date: 2009-06-10
text: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6477-6478)
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5824-5825)
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5824)
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Rural Home Health Preservation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1123
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2009-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Home and outpatient care
Medicare
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: 
Medicare Rural Home Health Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, to require for episodes and visits ending on or after January 1, 2010, and before January 1, 2015, a 5% increase in the rate of payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for home health services furnished in a rural area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5825)
action_date: 2009-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate