hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Grazing Improvement Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1129
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Department of Agriculture
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Livestock

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Grazing Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (the Act) to double from 10 to 20 years the period of a term for grazing permits and leases for domestic livestock grazing on public lands or lands within national forests in 16 contiguous western states. Permits the issuance of permits and leases for a period shorter than 20 years (under current law, shorter than 10 years). 
 
Directs that grazing permits or leases issued by the Secretary of the Interior respecting lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and grazing permits issued by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) respecting National Forest System lands that expire, are transferred, or are waived after this Act's enactment be renewed or reissued, as appropriate, under the Act, Granger-Thye Act, Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, or California Desert Protection Act of 1994. 
 
Excludes the renewal, reissuance, or transfer of a grazing permit or lease by the Secretary concerned from the requirement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to prepare an environmental analysis if such decision continues current grazing management of the allotment. 
 
Makes provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act applicable to appeals made by grazing permittees regarding grazing permits or leases under the Act and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-642.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening America's Trade Laws Act

Bill: 112-s-1130
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Asia
Canada
China
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Free trade and trade barriers
Government information and archives
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Latin America
Legislative rules and procedure
Mexico
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Strengthening America's Trade Laws Act - Allows, under specified conditions, certain U.S. persons supportive of the government's position before a dispute settlement panel or Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to participate in consultations and panel or Appellate Body proceedings.
 
Establishes the Congressional Advisory Commission on WTO Dispute Settlement to provide advice to Congress on the operation of the WTO dispute settlement system.
 
Amends the Uruguay Round Agreements Act to require congressional approval before any modification of an agency regulation or practice that has been adversely affected by a WTO decision.
 
Directs the United States to negotiate with the WTO to determine clarification of its obligations under the Uruguay Round Agreement due to an adverse WTO decision if the United States, Congress, or Commission finds that such decision created obligations never agreed to by the United States.
 
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make specified changes to strengthen the Act's antidumping and countervailing duty provisions. Requires congressional approval for revocation of nonmarket economy country determinations made by the administering authority.
 
Expands the authority of the administering authority or the International Trade Commission (ITC) to impose countervailing duties on products from a nonmarket economy country that have been provided a countervailable subsidy. Includes exchange-rate manipulation by a country as a countervailable subsidy.
 
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require a recommendation from the ITC before the President can impose a duty on an imported Chinese product that causes or threatens market disruption to a like U.S. product.
 
Applies the amendments made by this Act to goods from Canada and Mexico.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3444)
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1131
Sponsor: Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Hereditary and development disorders
Medical research
Nutrition and diet
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Sex and reproductive health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and implement a birth defects prevention and public awareness program, which includes: (1) a nationwide media campaign to increase awareness among health care providers and at-risk populations about pregnancy and breastfeeding information services; (2) grants for the provision of, or campaigns to increase awareness about, pregnancy and breastfeeding information services; and (3) grants for the conduct or support of surveillance of or research on maternal exposures that may influence the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal exposures that may influence health risks to a breastfed infant, or of networking to facilitate such surveillance or research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Autism Spectrum Disorders Services Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1132
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Allied health services
Child care and development
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Department of Health and Human Services
Disability assistance
Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Hereditary and development disorders
Higher education
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Lawyers and legal services
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding
Special education
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Autism Spectrum Disorders Services Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend and revise provisions related to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, including to: (1) expand activities to include coordinating efforts of all federal agencies (currently, only efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)); (2) include in the strategic plan services and supports for families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and (3) require the Committee to establish specified subcommittees.
 
 Requires the Comptroller General to report on: (1) federal progress in implementing the strategic plan for autism spectrum disorder research and services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and the families of such individuals, and (2) the provision of autism services and treatments and how such services and treatments are financed.
 
 Requires the Secretary of HHS to establish grant programs related to autism spectrum disorders, including programs to: (1) provide services to children, transitioning youth, and adults with autism spectrum disorders; (2) establish and maintain a national technical assistance center; (3) provide individuals with interdisciplinary training, continuing education, technical assistance, and information for the purpose of improving services rendered to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and the families of such individuals; and (4) establish new University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service.
 
 Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to require the Secretary to make grants to enable protection and advocacy systems to address the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy and Revenue Enrichment Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1135
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Government trust funds
Metals
Nuclear power
Public contracts and procurement
Radioactive wastes and releases

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Energy and Revenue Enrichment Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to contract with a qualified operator for a 24-month pilot program for the reenrichment at an enrichment plant of certain depleted uranium, beginning no later than June 1, 2012. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to sell the reenriched uranium generated under the contract and allocate the proceeds according to a certain scheme.
 
Directs the Secretary to assume title to, and responsibility for, the disposition of depleted uranium so generated.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from selling, each year during the pilot program and the subsequent 24 months after program completion, an amount of uranium exceeding 15% of the U.S. domestic uranium supply. Prohibits the sale of more than 10% of the U.S. domestic uranium supply during any year after such 48-month period, unless such sales will have no significant effect on uranium markets.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3448)
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend Public Law 106-206 to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to require annual permits and assess annual fees for commercial filming activities on Federal land for film crews of 5 persons or fewer.

Bill: 112-s-1136
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: General public lands matters
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Television and film
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) (the Secretary with respect to lands under their respective jurisdiction), for any film crew of five persons or fewer, to require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary. Makes such a permit valid for such activities or projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a one-year period. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary, for persons holding such a permit, from assessing any fees in addition to the annual fee described above for commercial filming activities and similar projects that occur in those areas during those hours. 
 
Bars the Secretary from prohibiting, as a mechanized apparatus or under any other purposes, the use of cameras or related equipment used for commercial filming activities or similar projects in accordance with this Act on federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary. 
 
Requires a film crew of five persons or fewer that is subject to a permit issued under this Act to notify the applicable land management agency having jurisdiction over the federal land at least 48 hours before entering it.
 
Allows an applicable land management agency to deny access to a film crew if: (1) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated, (2) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the public use and enjoyment of the site, (3) the activity poses public health or safety risks, and (4) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the land's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Medical Innovation Prize Fund Act

Bill: 112-s-1137
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Health care costs and insurance
Insurance industry and regulation
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Prescription drugs
Research administration and funding
Research and development
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Medical Innovation Prize Fund Act - Denies any person the exclusive right to manufacture, distribute, sell, or use in interstate commerce a drug, a biological product, or a drug or biological product manufacturing process, including the exclusive right to rely on health registration data or the 30-month stay-of-effectiveness period for Orange Book patents. Prescribes remuneration, in the form of prize payments from a Fund for Medical Innovation Prizes, in lieu of such market exclusivity.
 
Establishes: (1) the Fund for Medical Innovation Prizes; and (2) a Board of Trustees for such Fund, which shall award prize payments for medical innovation and establish independent expert advisory committees.
 
Directs the Board to award prize payments for medical innovation relating to a drug, a biological product, or a new manufacturing process for a drug or biological product to: (1) the first person to receive market clearance with respect to the drug or biological product; (2) the holder of the patent with respect to a manufacturing process; or (3) persons or communities that as an open source contribution openly shared knowledge, data, materials, and technology on a royalty-free and nondiscriminatory basis.
 
Requires the Board to establish and periodically modify minimum levels of funding for such awards for priority research and development, including global neglected diseases, orphan diseases, and global infectious diseases and other global public health priorities.
 
Allows the Board of Trustees to authorize multiple nonprofit intermediaries to reward projects for interim research and development of products or for open source dividend prizes.
 
Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to conduct annual audits to determine the Board's effectiveness in bringing to market new drugs, vaccines, biological products, and manufacturing processes in a cost-effective manner and in addressing society's global medical needs.
 
Establishes an annual fee for health insurers to fund this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-15
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-570.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Prize Fund for HIV/AIDS Act

Bill: 112-s-1138
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
HIV/AIDS
Health care costs and insurance
Insurance industry and regulation
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Prescription drugs
Research administration and funding
Research and development
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Prize Fund for HIV/AIDS Act - Denies any person the exclusive right to manufacture, distribute, sell, or use in interstate commerce a qualifying treatment for HIV/AIDS, or to a manufacturing process for such a treatment, including the exclusive right to rely on health registration data or the 30-month stay-of-effectiveness period for Orange Book patents. Prescribes remuneration, in the form of prize payments from a Prize Fund for HIV/AIDS, in lieu of such market exclusivity.
 
Exempts from this elimination of exclusive rights any dual use product that is a qualifying treatment for HIV/AIDS which also has a significant use for other diseases, but only with respect to its use for other diseases. Applies the elimination of exclusive rights with respect to a qualifying HIV/AIDS treatment even in a dual use product.
 
Establishes the Prize Fund for HIV/AIDS. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to designate a Prize Fund Director to administer the Fund.
 
Directs the Prize Fund Director to award prize payments for medical innovation relating to a qualifying treatment for HIV/AIDS, or a new manufacturing process for such a treatment, to: (1) the first person to receive market clearance with respect to the drug or biological product; (2) the holder of the patent with respect to a manufacturing process; or (3) persons or communities that as an open source contribution openly shared knowledge, data, materials, and technology on a royalty-free and nondiscriminatory basis.
 
Allows the Prize Fund Director to authorize multiple nonprofit intermediaries to manage Fund payments to reward projects for: (1) interim research and development of new qualifying treatments for HIV/AIDS, or (2) open source dividend prizes.
 
Establishes an annual fee for health insurers to fund this Act.
 
Establishes the Donor Innovation Prize Fund to enable the Secretary to reward owners and developers of products that permit open competition for low-cost generic drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-15
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-570.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act

Bill: 112-s-1139
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in hostile areas to benefit from the provision barring the accrual of interest on their student loans under the Federal Direct Loan program regardless of the date their loan was first disbursed. (Currently, their loan must be disbursed on or after October 1, 2008, to qualify for such treatment.)
 
Eliminates the restriction of such benefit on direct consolidation loans to that portion of the loan which is used to repay direct loans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Gulf Coast Restoration Act

Bill: 112-s-1140
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Accidents
Advisory bodies
Alabama
Aquatic ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Florida
Government trust funds
Gulf of Mexico
Louisiana
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Mississippi
Oil and gas
Water quality
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Gulf Coast Restoration Act - Establishes the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, which shall: (1) consult with, and provide recommendations to, the Chair of the Task Force regarding approval of State Coastal Ecosystem Restoration Plans submitted by the governors of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, providing for restoration activities the Gulf Coast ecosystem adversely impacted by the blowout and explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon on April 20, 2010; (2) coordinate scientific and other research associated with restoration of such ecosystem; and (3) submit an annual report to Congress that summarizes the Plans approved by the Chair. 
 
Establishes in the Treasury the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into the Fund sums equal to not less than 80% of any amounts collected by the United States as penalties, settlements, or fines under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) in relation to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and resulting hydrocarbon releases into the environment. Makes the Fund available for the conservation, protection, and restoration of the Gulf Coast ecosystem in accordance with approved Plans.
 
Requires the governors of such states to: (1) submit a Plan to the Chair by July 1, 2012; and (2) solicit local input and provide for public participation in the development of the Plan. 
 
Requires the Chair to disburse amounts from such Fund to such a state for which the Chair has approved a Plan only for: (1) projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, including wetlands; (2) mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources; (3) planning assistance and the administrative costs of complying with this Act; and/or (4) implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3448)
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1141
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2011-05-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Citizenship and naturalization
Conflicts and wars
Family relationships
Immigration status and procedures
Philippines
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: 
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 or other specified federal law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3448-3449)
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Introduced in Senate