hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To direct the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to initiate consultations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 on the Central Valley Project and the California State Water Project, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-3999
Sponsor: Rep. Cardoza, Dennis A. [D-CA-18]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: California
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Water quality
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Requires the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to initiate (and conclude within 90 days) consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce on the existing and proposed operations of the Central Valley Project and the California State Water Project, including regarding all endangered, threatened, and candidate species listed under the Endangered Species Act affected by such proposed operations.
 
Requires the Secretaries to: (1) identify, analyze, and describe all factors, other than operations of the Projects, affecting the survival and recovery of such species and the effect of invasive species and wastewater discharges on food availability on the survival and recovery of such species; (2) quantify the relative effect of each factor affecting the survival and recovery of the subject species; (3) rank each such factor in the order of its effect on the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species; and (4) identify the specific, additional incremental effect of existing and proposed discretionary operations of the Projects on the survival and recovery of the species in relation to all other factors affecting such survival and recovery.
 
Requires the Secretaries: (1) to issue a statement setting forth their opinion detailing how existing and proposed operations of such Projects affect such species or their critical habitat; (2) if they include in the statement reasonable and prudent alternatives to discretionary project operations, to describe the increased species abundance they estimate will result from such alternatives and limit the measures required by the alternatives to no more than the proportionate effects of those discretionary project operations in relation to the factors affecting the species; and (3) to identity and recommend actions or measures that are not within the jurisdiction of the Bureau but are necessary to address any factors that are jeopardizing such species or adversely modifying their critical habitat.
 
Declares that any consultation conducted or statement issued before this Act's enactment with respect to the existing and proposed operations shall have no force or effect after the statement is issued under this Act.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
Conflict Resolution and Mediation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4000
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Crime prevention
Crimes against children
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Conflict Resolution and Mediation Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the development and implementation of conflict resolution and mediation programs for students, teachers, and other school personnel at their schools most directly affected by conflict and violence.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop a written model for conflict resolution and mediation and make such model available to any LEA that requests it.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
Truth in Lending Clarification Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4002
Sponsor: Rep. Hensarling, Jeb [R-TX-5]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Interest, dividends, interest rates
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 

 Truth in Lending Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act concerning the mandatory 45-day advance notice of significant changes (including rate increases) under an open end consumer credit plan. Declares that such requirement does not prevent a creditor from putting into effect immediately any reduction in an annual percentage rate (APR), any decrease or elimination of any fee imposed upon a consumer, or any significant change in terms solely or primarily for the benefit of the consumer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Study Act

Bill: 111-hr-4004
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Illinois
Racial and ethnic relations
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating a specified region in Chicago, Illinois, as the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4006
Sponsor: Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-1]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Computers and information technology
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Minority health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign an Indian Veterans Health Care Coordinator for each of the ten VA facilities that serve communities with the greatest per capita number of Indian veterans. Includes among Coordinator duties: (1) improving outreach to tribal communities; (2) coordinating the medical needs of Indian veterans on Indian reservations with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS); and (3) acting as an ombudsman for Indian veterans enrolled in the VHA health care system.
 
Directs the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Interior to ensure the electronic transfer of health records of Indian veterans between IHS and VA facilities.
 
 Requires the VA Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report jointly to Congress on the advisability of the joint VHA-IHS establishment and operation of health clinics to serve populations of Indian reservations, including Indian veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-03-25
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-11-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to 5 States to establish medical malpractice tribunal pilot programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-4007
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Christopher J. [R-NY-26]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Judges
Lawyers and legal services
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to five states to establish pilot programs under which: (1) each medical malpractice case is heard in the first instance by a medical tribunal composed of a state trial court judge, a physician, and a lawyer; and (2) the tribunal shall hear all evidence that would be admissible in state court and determine whether it would be sufficient to support a finding for the plaintiff. Permits the plaintiff to pursue a case through the state's usual judicial process: (1) if the tribunal determines that the evidence would be sufficient; or (2) if the tribunal determines that the evidence would be insufficient, but only after filing with the clerk of the court a bond in an amount determined by the state trial court judge.
 
 
Permits the Secretary to award a grant to only a state that: (1) has an average cost of medical malpractice insurance that exceeds the national average; and (2) has not placed a limit on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases or established a medical tribunal program similar to the one described in this Act. 
 

 
Directs the Secretary to collect from each state that receives grant funds, after the end of the third fiscal year, certain data regarding: (1) changes in the average cost of medical malpractice insurance, the number of physicians actively practicing medicine, the number of medical malpractice liability insurance carriers, the amounts paid by such carriers pursuant to settlements or judgments, and the percentage of medical malpractice cases settled prior to trial; and (2) the number of cases that were considered meritorious by the tribunal, and the number that were considered nonmeritorious, that were tried to a judgment and the number of such judgments that were for the plaintiff.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1639 Dickerson Boulevard in Monroe, North Carolina, as the "Second Lieutenant Samuel I. Parker Postal Carrier Annex".

Bill: 111-hr-4008
Sponsor: Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Military personnel and dependents
North Carolina
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1639 Dickerson Boulevard in Monroe, North Carolina, as the "Second Lieutenant Samuel I. Parker Postal Carrier Annex."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
District of Columbia District Attorney Establishment Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4009
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
District of Columbia
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Lawyers and legal services
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
District of Columbia District Attorney Establishment Act of 2009 - Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to establish the Office of the District Attorney for the District of Columbia (DA).
 
Specifies the qualifications for the DA, including residence and domicile in the District. Prohibits the DA from engaging directly or indirectly in private practice.
 
Requires the DA to be elected to a four-year term on a partisan basis. Requires the Mayor to appoint the first DA, to serve until succeeded by an elected one.
 
States that nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of the Attorney General or the U.S. Attorney for the District to exercise jurisdiction concerning violations of federal laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2693)
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to authorize the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon to obtain 99-year lease authority for trust land.

Bill: 111-hr-4010
Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Indian lands and resources rights
Oregon

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Authorizes the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon to obtain 99-year lease authority for trust land. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
Organized Retail Crime Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4011
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against property
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Organized crime
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Organized Retail Crime Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the transportation of fraudulently obtained goods valued at $1,000 or more for sale on an online marketplace and the barter or sale of such goods online with knowledge that such goods have been stolen, converted, or taken by fraud.
 
Directs the Attorney General to establish multi-jurisdictional task forces to investigate organized retail theft and to dismantle organized retail theft criminal enterprises in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-01-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a 5-year recovery period for new nonresidential real property, and a 10-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, placed in service after December 31, 2009, and before January 1, 2012.

Bill: 111-hr-4012
Sponsor: Rep. Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 5-year recovery period for depreciation purposes for nonresidential real property and a 10-year recovery period for qualified leasehold property placed in service after December 31, 2009, and before January 1, 2012. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a 5-year carryback of operating losses, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-4013
Sponsor: Rep. Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4]
Introduced: 2009-11-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Insurance industry and regulation
Life, casualty, property insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a five-year carryback of net operating losses, including the operating losses of life insurance companies, incurred in 2008 and 2009.
 
Denies such extended loss carryover period to: (1) taxpayers in whom the federal government acquires an equity interest under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008; (2) the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (3) members of certain affiliated groups.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make transfers to the general fund to cover reductions in revenues resulting from this Act. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Introduced in House
Catastrophe Obligation Guarantee Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4014
Sponsor: Rep. Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-47]
Introduced: 2009-11-04 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Appropriations
Disaster relief and insurance
Government lending and loan guarantees
Insurance industry and regulation
Intergovernmental relations
Life, casualty, property insurance
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Catastrophe Obligation Guarantee Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee holders against loss of principal, interest, or both, on obligations issued by eligible state programs that are established to provide insurance and reinsurance coverage for residential property in the case of catastrophic events. 
 
Prescribes standards for eligible state programs, and for catastrophic debt guarantees.
 
Limits the aggregate principal amount of guaranteed debt following a catastrophic event to the amount by which the insured losses expected to be sustained by the state program as a result of the events exceed 80% of: (1) the qualifying assets of an eligible state program as stated in its most recent quarterly financial statement filed with the domiciliary regulator; or (2) a state's unrestricted net assets as stated in its annual financial statement.
 
Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States to the payment of all guarantees issued under the program. 
 
Limits the aggregate total principal amount of guaranteed debt obligations to: (1) $5 billion for earthquake peril; and (2) $20 billion for all other perils.
 
Makes appropriations to satisfy debt guarantee commitments and attendant administrative expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
Family Farm and Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4015
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-11]
Introduced: 2009-11-04 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Farmland
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Family Farm and Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Extends the estate and gift tax rates in effect in 2009 by eliminating the general terminating date (i.e., December 31, 2010) in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) applicable to such rates. 
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a permanent $3.5 million estate tax exclusion (adjusted for inflation) and a maximum estate and gift tax rate of 45% after 2010; (2) restore after 2010 the estate tax deduction for family-owned business interests and increase the amount of such deduction to $8 million (adjusted annually for inflation); and (3) exclude from the gross estate of a decedent the value of farmland used as a farm for farming purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
Additional health insurance options for unemployed Americans Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4018
Sponsor: Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9]
Introduced: 2009-11-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Additional Health Insurance Options for Unemployed Americans Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, with respect to guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage for individuals with prior group plan coverage, to eliminate the requirement that such individuals have exhausted benefits under COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) or a similar state program after termination of employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Public Health Service Act to limit preexisting condition exclusions in the individual health insurance market to those permitted in the group health insurance market.

Bill: 111-hr-4019
Sponsor: Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9]
Introduced: 2009-11-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health insurance issuer to impose a preexisting condition exclusion with respect to individual health insurance coverage only to the extent the issuer may impose such exclusion with respect to group health insurance coverage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
Guaranteed Access to Health Insurance Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4020
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2009-11-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Guaranteed Access to Health Insurance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to states that adopt a program that provides reinsurance for health insurance coverage or a high risk pool to mitigate the health care costs of high risk individuals in such states. Limits participation in such reinsurance programs or high risk pools to citizens and nationals of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House