hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to authorize the issuance of right-of-way permits for natural gas pipelines in Glacier National Park, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-2229
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2012-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Montana
Oil and gas
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pipelines

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue right-of-way permits for natural gas pipelines (including all appurtenances used in their operation) that, as of March 1, 2012, are within the boundary of Glacier National Park in Montana. 
 
Specifies that each such permit shall be: (1) issued as a right-of-way renewal, (2) for a width of not more than 50 feet on either side of the centerline of the pipeline, and (3) subject to any terms and conditions that are determined by the Secretary to be necessary. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-578.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2230
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2012-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Employment taxes
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Inflation and prices
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax reform and tax simplification

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: 
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Provides for a phase-in of such tax. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2013.
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact tax reform that repeals unfair and unnecessary tax loopholes and expenditures, simplifies the tax system, and makes sure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-04-16
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 45. Record Vote Number: 65. (consideration: CR S2313; text: CR S2313)
action_date: 2012-04-16
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S2289-2293, S2294-2305, S2313-2314)
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to measure presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S2223-2224; text: CR S2223)
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S2188, S2223-2224)
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S2117)
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S2055-2056)
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 339.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2231
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2012-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Credit and credit markets
National Credit Union Administration

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: 
Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to prohibit an insured credit union from making any member business loan that would result in the total amount of such loans outstanding at that credit union at any one time exceeding either: (1) 1.75 times the actual net worth of the credit union, or (2) 12.25% of the total assets of the credit union.
 
Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board to approve an application by an insured credit union to make one or more member business loans that would result in a total amount of such loans outstanding at any one time of up to 27.5 % of the total assets of the credit union, if the credit union meets specified safety and soundness criteria. Prohibits an insured credit union that has made such a member business loan but that is not well capitalized from making any new member business loans until it becomes well capitalized and obtains Board approval.
 
Directs the Board to develop a tiered approval process, including lending standards, under which an insured credit union gradually increases the amount of member business lending in a manner that is consistent with safe and sound operations.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study the status of member business lending by insured credit unions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 340.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Air Passenger Fairness Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2235
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Ben [D-NE]
Introduced: 2012-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: 
Air Passenger Fairness Act of 2012 - Prohibits an air carrier or airport operator from establishing an expedited line for a specific category of passengers to be screened at an airport checkpoint before entering the airport's sterile area. Exempts from the prohibition the establishment or operation of an expedited: (1) airport screening checkpoint line for disabled passengers; or (2) security screening program by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or any other federal, state, or local government agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Breakthrough Therapies for Patients Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2236
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2012-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: 
Advancing Breakthrough Therapies for Patients Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), at the request of the sponsor of a drug, to expedite the drug's development and review if: (1) it is intended, either alone or in combination, to treat a serious life-threatening disease or condition; and (2) preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.
 
Authorizes the drug's sponsor to request the Secretary to designate the drug as a breakthrough therapy. Requires the Secretary, within 60 days of such request, to determine whether the drug meets such criteria and, if so, make such designation, followed by appropriate actions to expedite its development and review for approval.
 
Directs the Secretary to issue guidance on implementing requirements with respect to breakthrough therapies and to amend promulgated regulations.
 
Requires the Secretary to contract with an independent entity to evaluate the manner by which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has applied the processes for the breakthrough therapy determination, and the impact of such processes on the development and timely availability of innovative treatments for patients affected by serious or life-threatening conditions. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on drugs for which breakthrough designations were requested and approved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to require a regulation to limit the aggregate positions of nontraditional bona fide hedgers in petroleum and related products.

Bill: 112-s-2238
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2012-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Commodities markets
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: 
 Amends the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to excessive speculation in a commodity under contracts of sale to direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to establish limits on the aggregate number or amount of positions in contracts for petroleum or related products that may be held by any person, or any group or class of traders, for each month across specified contracts so that: (1) the short position for traditional bona fide hedgers in the aggregate is not less than 50% percent; and (2) the long position for such hedgers in the aggregate is not less than 50% percent.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Veteran Skills to Jobs Act

Bill: 112-s-2239
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2012-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Licensing and registrations
Military education and training
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: 
Veteran Skills to Jobs Act of 2012 - Requires the head of each federal agency to deem an applicant for a license issued by that agency who has received relevant training while serving as a member of the Armed Forces to have satisfied any training or certification requirements for the license, unless the head of the agency determines that the training received is substantially different from the training or certification required for such license.

action_date: 2012-06-29
text: 
Veteran Skills to Jobs Act - Directs the head of each federal licensing authority to consider, and authorizes such official to accept, any relevant training received by an individual while serving as a member of the Armed Forces for the purpose of satisfying the license requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4781; text as passed in Senate: CR S4781)
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4781; text as passed in Senate: CR S4781)
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 439.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the allowance for bonus depreciation for certain business assets.

Bill: 112-s-2240
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2012-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend for one year the 100% bonus depreciation allowance for business assets, and (2) increase the amount of alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits that corporate taxpayers may elect to accelerate in a taxable year in lieu of claiming bonus depreciation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2242
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2012-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: 
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Better Health Rewards Program Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2243
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2012-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Income tax exclusion
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: 
Medicare Better Health Rewards Program Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a three-year Better Health Rewards Program under which incentives are provided to Medicare beneficiaries who voluntarily agree to participate in the Program.
 
 Directs the Secretary to establish standards for measuring better health targets and points for achieving them for participating Medicare beneficiaries, including those for: (1) an annual wellness visit, (2) tobacco cessation, (3) Body Mass Index (BMI), (4) a diabetes screening test, (5) cardiovascular disease screening, (6) cholesterol level screening, and (7) screening tests and specified vaccinations.
 
Requires the Secretary to make specified incentive payments to each participating Medicare beneficiary who achieves at least 20 points during a year.
 
Authorizes Medicare Advantage Plans, &quot;Section 1876&quot; health maintenance organization and competitive medical cost plans, and programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) to make incentives to their enrollees to participate in a Better Health Rewards Program.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any payment made under: (1) the Medicare Better Health Rewards Program; and (2) any other Better Health Rewards Program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2233)
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2244
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2012-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Congressional tributes
Government information and archives
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: 
Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012 - Recognizes the tireless work and dedication of the Missing in America Project, in conjunction with numerous veterans service organizations, in identifying unclaimed remains of veterans.
 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cooperate with such organizations to assist entities in possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Requires the Secretary, upon a positive determination with respect to any such remains, to provide for and cover the cost of the burial and funeral expenses if the Secretary determines that: (1) there is no next of kin or other person claiming the remains, and (2) there are no other sufficient resources to cover such expenses.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a publicly accessible database of the names of any veteran or other individual so identified.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserve the Waters of the United States Act

Bill: 112-s-2245
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2012-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Army Corps of Engineers
Department of Defense
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: 
Preserve the Waters of the United States Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from: (1) finalizing the proposed guidance described in the notice of availability and request for comments entitled "EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance Regarding Identification of Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act"; or (2) using such guidance, or any substantially similar guidance, as the basis for any decision regarding the scope of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) or any rulemaking. Provides that the use of such guidance as the basis for any rule shall be grounds for vacation of such rule. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
TAP Modernization Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2246
Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2012-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Unemployment
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: 
TAP Modernization Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Labor, during the three-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to provide the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to veterans and their spouses at locations other than military installations in at least three and up to five states selected by the Secretary based on the highest rates of veteran unemployment.
 
Requires reports from both the Secretary and the Comptroller General to Congress on such TAP training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-13
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-567.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act

Bill: 112-s-2248
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2012-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Environmental regulatory procedures
Forests, forestry, trees
General public lands matters
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Oil and gas
State and local government operations
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: 
Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act - Grants any state sole authority to promulgate or enforce any regulation, guidance, or permit requirement with regard to the underground injection of fluids or propping agents pursuant to the hydraulic fracturing process, or any component of such process, relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on or under land within the boundaries of that state. 
 
Makes the underground injection of fluids or propping agents pursuant to such process, or any components of such process, relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on federal land subject to the law of the state in which that land is located. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2167-2168)
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2166-2167)
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate